UCLA Crushes UCF, 9-1; Plays Two-Site Doubleheader Today

The problem with early season softball games is that bad weather can wreck havoc on the schedule. That has happened this weekend at the San Diego Classic where today’s game against Minnesota was pushed back to 4:30 pm this afternoon from its orginal 2 pm start time.

However, the Bruins are still scheduled to play the University of San Diego at 7 pm. Never mind the fact that these games will be played at facilities 10 miles apart. Pretty much the only way the second game starts on time is if the Bruins can score enough runs to win defeat Minnesota in a mercy-rule shortened game.

Also, tomorrow’s scheduled game against San Diego State has been cancelled. UCLA is still scheduled to play Santa Clara at 11:30 am PT tomorrow.

Speaking of mercy-rule wins by the Bruins, they picked up their seventh mercy-rule win last night against the UCF Knights.

Bruin starter Holly Azevedo gave up a first inning run to the Knights after surrendering two singles and two errors. The run scored on the second error of the inning when Briana Perez committed a fielding error.

But the Bruins came right back in the bottom of the first when Bubba Nickles scored Aaliyah Jordan to tie the game.

The bottom of the second was a big inning for the Bruins as UCLA almost batted around. With one out, Zoe Shaw hit an infield single to give the Bruins their first baserunner. That didn’t last long though as Kinsley Washington walked to move Shaw into scoring position, which Briana Perez promptly took advantage of as she singled to left to give UCLA a 2-1 lead. Kylee Perez kept up with her sister and also singled, scoring Washington and it was 3-1, Bruins. With the Perez sisters on the corners and still just one out, Jordan doubled to left t score two more runs as UCLA took a 5-1 lead while sending eight batters to the plate.

And, they did it again in the third.

But, this time, they only scored three more. With the bases loaded, Briana Perez drove Taylor Pack in on a sacrifice fly, while Shaw moved up to third and Washington moved up to second. Shaw then scored on a passed ball which also moved Washington over to third. Kylee Perez singled up the middle, scoring Washington and making it 8-1, Bruins.

Needing just a run to end the game, Briana Perez continued being UCLA’s spark plug. This time, she was hit by a pitch and moved into scoring position when Kylee hit into a fielder’s choice, but was able to beat it out. So, Jackie Prober came to bat with runners on first and second and still no outs. She laid down a bunt to the right side, but an error allow Briana Perez to score from second to win the game, 9-1.

This is your UCLA Softball doubleheader open thread.


Go Bruins!!