#2 UCLA Softball Looks to Clinch Pac-12 Title Against #6 Arizona

Tonight, the #2 UCLA softball team begins its final series of the regular season at home against the #6 Arizona Wildcats at 7 pm PT. The Bruins’ magic number to clinch the Pac-12 Conference title is two. Any combination of two UCLA wins or Washington losses will eliminate the Huskies from title contention while the Bruins will need to win at least one game between now and Saturday to eliminate Arizona, which is tied for second with Washington. But, a Bruin win tonight combined with a Husky loss will eliminate both the Huskies and the Wildcats.

Last Time Out

Megan Faraimo and Holly Azevedo combined on a three-hit shut out Stanford on Sunday to win the weekend series over the Cardinal. Faraimo threw the first four innings, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out four while Azevedo pitched the final three innings, giving up just one hit and one walk while striking out two and earning her first save of the season.

UCLA got on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning with a pair of runs. Briana Perez doubled with one out and scored when Rachel Garcia singled to left. After Taylor Pack flew out, Aaliyah Jordan hit a single up the middle to move Garcia to third. Garcia was able to score on a Stanford error to make it 2-0, Bruins.

UCLA scored again in the top of the fourth when Colleen Sullivan homered to left field to make it 3-0, Bruins. In the top of the fifth, Jordan added a two-out solo homer which was the final run of the game and the Bruins earned the 4-0 win.

#6 Arizona Wildcats

Tonight, UCLA will host the Arizona Wildcats in game one of a three-game series, which may prove to be one of their most exciting series this season. Leading up to this final home stand, UCLA and Arizona have both remained in contention for the conference title, which will determined this weekend.

These teams bring some of the best of the conference in both pitching and hitting. Arizona’s most seasoned pitcher this year is Taylor McQuillan, who has a 1.53 ERA. The Wildcats’ offense is supported by the solid bats from Reyna Carranco, Alyssa Palomino-Cardoza, Jessie Harper, and Malia Martinez. Each has over 150 at bats and averages over .330. This series will not disappoint and will definitely be the toughest team UCLA has faced this year.

Tonight game begins at 7:00 pm PT will air on Pac-12 Networks National, Los Angeles and Arizona while tomorrow’s and Saturday’s games will be televised on just Pac-12 Networks National and Los Angeles.

This is your UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona Wildcats Softball game one open thread.


Go Bruins!