UCLA Softball Sweeps Cal State Fullerton to Advance to NCAA Super Regionals

The Bruins came into today needing to beat Cal State Fullerton twice to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals and UCLA took care of business.

In the first game, Rachel Garcia threw a 3-hit shutout as the Bruins beat the Titans, 3-0.

With one out in the fourth inning, Aaliyah Jordan and Garcia both singled to give the Bruins runners on first and second. After Madeline Jelenicki lined out to left, Bubba Nickles hit a 2-run double to right center and UCLA took a 2-0 lead.

Kylee Perez added an insurance run in the fifth on an RBI single that scored Imani Johnson.

That win forced a second game, due to the double-elimination format.

In the second game, Nickles got the Bruins going again. This time, she homered to right center in almost the same exact spot as her double in the first game.

But, CSUF wasn’t ready to fold yet. They bounced right back and used two walks and an error to load the bases. Deshea Hill took advantage and hit an 2-run single to right center to take a 2-1 lead.

Nickles came through again in the bottom half of the fourth with an RBI single to left to tie the game back up at 2-2.

In the bottom of the fifth, Kinsley Washington started a big Bruin rally with a double to left center. Kylee Perez laid down a bunt to move Washington to third and Briana Perez brought her home with an RBI single. After Jordan singled to give the Bruins runners on first and second, Rachel Garcia hit a towering three-run homer to put UCLA up 6-2.

In the top of the seventh, the Titans managed to score twice and bring the tying run to the plate with two outs. Zoe Richard couldn’t do anything against Garcia as the Bruins pitcher struck out Richard for her 6th strikeout to clinch the win for UCLA.

Garcia went the distance for her 25th win of the year. She allowed just four runs on four hits and four walks.

The Bruins will now face Pac-12 softball rival Arizona at home next weekend in the NCAA Super Regionals.


Go Bruins!!! Bring home 117!!!