UCLA Softball Splits Friday Doubleheader; Takes on UConn Today

After having yesterday’s games against Auburn and Loyola Marymount rained out, the UCLA softball team returns to action today with a game against the Connecticut Huskies at 11:45 am PT.

Last Time Out

On Friday, the #2 Bruins beat the #3 Florida Gators for the second game in a row, 4-0, after beating them 7-1 on Wednesday night to open the Judi Garman Classic. In Friday’s second game, UCLA lost their first game of the season to Michigan, 3-1.

Against Florida on Friday, Rachel Garcia struck out 10 and only allowed five baserunners on two hits, two walks and one hit-by-pitch. But none of those baserunners advanced past second base.

UCLA’s first scoring threat came in the second, but they left the bases loaded. In fact, the Bruins weren’t able to score until the fifth inning.

In the fifth, Kinsley Washington started UCLA’s rally with an infield hit. Kelli Godin’s bunt single gave the Bruins runners on first and second with no out. Briana Perez then walked to load the bases and Bubba Nickles hit a single up the middle which scored Washington and Godin. Aaliyah Jordan doubled to left, scoring Perez and moving Nickles to third. Rachel Garcia followed and helped her own cause with an RBI single that scored Nickles to give the Bruins a 4-0 lead. That would be all the scoring in this one and the Bruins topped the Gators for the second time in three days.

Against Michigan, the Bruins got on the scoreboard in the top of the first when Perez scored on a fielder’s choice, but it would be the only run UCLA could get across in this game. Unfortunately, Megan Faraimo gave up three runs in the bottom of the sixth, giving the Wolverines a 3-1 lead heading into the seventh.

UCLA could only get one runner on in the seventh on an error and the Bruins lost their first game of the season, 3-1.

UConn Huskies

The season started off well for the Huskies as they won their first three games of the season. They opened with a win over Bryant University and followed it with a win over Michigan State. They also won a rematch against Bryant. Since then, UConn lost 11 in a row until they defeated New Mexico this morning, 2-1.

So, look for UCLA to win today’s game pretty easily and I expect that the Bruins will shorten today’s game with a mercy rule win as long as they get their bats going today as both of Friday’s games showed that UCLA’s offense isn’t invincible.

This is your UCLA Bruins vs. UConn Huskies softball open thread.


Go Bruins!!!