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Take Two: UCLA Softball Targets Another Sweep

The Bruins opened their 2017 campaign in impressive style with a sweep on Day 1 of the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament. UCLA blanked South Dakota 6-0 in the first game before shutting out San Diego State 8-0 in the nightcap. Today the Bruins look to do more of the same in a doubleheader against Weber State.

By Bruinette88
@UCLASoftball

#8 UCLA Softball (2-0)

Game 1 Opponent: Weber State (0-1-1)

When: 11:30 AM PT, Saturday, February 11, 2017

Game 2 Opponent: Weber State (0-1-1)

When: 2:00 PM PT, Saturday, February 11, 2017

Where: Easton Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

Audio: UCLA Live Audio

Video: None

Live Stats: UCLA StatBroadcast Game 1 | UCLA StatBroadcast Game 2

Official Tournament Preview

To the extent that UCLA's pitching on opening day can serve as a gauge of the strength of the staff, the Bruins appear to be in great shape in 2017. Three UCLA hurlers combined to pitch 13 shutout innings as the Bruins swept a doubleheader on the first day of the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament.

Johanna Grauer went the distance in the opener against South Dakota, allowing just 3 hits over seven innings. She had plenty of run support as the Bruins hammered out 11 hits and pushed six runs across the plate. Grauer finished the game with half a dozen strikeouts and completely dominated the Coyote batters, retiring 16 consecutive hitters before allowing a two-out single in the final frame.

Rachel Garcia made her long-awaited debut for the Bruins in the nightcap against the Aztecs, and she certainly didn't disappoint. Garcia scattered four hits and struck out seven over five innings before Paige McDuffee came in from the bullpen for an inning of work. UCLA's offense continued to pound out hits with 13 more in the second game, leading to eight runs and a mercy rule six inning win.

Of course it was a day of firsts for UCLA's freshmen. Rachel Garcia served as the DP in the opener, and tallied her first hits, home run, and RBI as a Bruin. Bubba Nickles knocked her first collegiate hit in the opener and scored her first run. And Jacqui Prober made her first collegiate start in the nightcap in right field. Even junior Selina Ta'amilo got in on the act with an RBI single in her first collegiate at-bat.

The opening day hitting star for the Bruins, though, was Kylee Perez. Perez had six hits, including a home run and a pair of doubles, good for four RBI. UCLA showed it has power throughout the lineup too, with opening day home runs for Perez, Madeline Jelenicki, Gabrielle Maurice, Rachel Garcia, Paige Halstead, and Delaney Spaulding.

It's hard to imagine a better start to the 2017 season for Coach Inouye-Perez' squad. The Bruins won't have much time to enjoy the pair of victories, however, as they are back in action this morning for Day 2 of the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament. Today's action features a midday doubleheader against Weber State. UCLA will be hoping to see the same outstanding performances at the plate, in the circle, and around the diamond.

Go BRUINS!

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