UCLA Softball: Garcia’s Extra Inning Homer Lifts Bruins Past Huskies, 4-2

This afternoon, the UCLA softball team will look to complete a sweep of the Washington Huskies when the teams meet for the third and final game of this weekend’s series at 3 pm PT.

Yesterday, the Bruins needed extra innings to get past Washington as UCLA defeated the Huskies, 4-2.

Washington scored first yesterday with a run in the bottom of the first when Sis Bates stole home on Bruin starter Holly Azevedo. But, UCLA rallied in the third inning to take a 2-1 lead. Kinsley Washington got things started with a single to center. After Kelli Godin struck out, Briana Perez doubled to move Washington to third. That set the table for a Bubba Nickles single that went through the right side which scored both Washington and Perez.

Unfortunately, the Bruins’ lead didn’t last too long.

In the bottom of the fourth, Azevedo walked Noelle Hee who led off the inning and that sent Kelly Inouye-Perez out for a pitching change. While Rachel Garcia came in to pitch for UCLA and immediately got two outs, she then gave up a pair of singles. The second hit scored Megan Vandegrift who had pinch-run for Hee. That tied the game, 2-2, and, since neither team would score again by the end of seven, the game went into extra innings.

With two outs in the top of the eighth, Aaliyah Jordan doubled to right. That brought Garcia to the plate. With a full count, Garcia homered to the left to give the Bruins a 4-2 lead.

Of course, a two-run lead for Garcia might as well be an eight-run lead as she retired the side in order in the bottom half of the inning for her 12th win of the season. Over five innings of work, Garcia allowed five hits and just one walk while striking out seven.

Today, the Bruins will look to break out their brooms and complete the sweep of Washington when the teams meet again at 3 pm PT.

This is your UCLA vs. Washington softball game three open thread.


Go Bruins!!