With its season on the line, UCLA softball kept plugging away, but was unable to advance in the Women’s College World Series.
In a high-scoring affair that went 10 innings, No. 7 seed UCLA fell to No. 4 seed Auburn 11-10 on Saturday night. Due to the double-elimination format of the tournament, the loss ended the season for the Bruins (51-12), who had already lost on Friday to the No. 3 seed Michigan Wolverines.
The game got off to an explosive start for UCLA, as the team jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Auburn (56-10) would respond in the bottom half of the third, scoring six runs of its own.
After the Bruins tied it in the 6-6 in the fourth, the Tigers would take the lead off outfielder Branndi Melero’s three-run home run in the bottom of that inning.
Auburn held a 9-7 lead going into the top of the seventh, until UCLA freshman first baseman Maddy Jelenicki hit a two-run home run to give the Bruins a 10-9 lead. Auburn would add a run in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings tied 10-10.
The teams would go three more innings until senior pitcher Ally Carda walked a batter with bases loaded, giving Auburn the go-ahead score.
In UCLA’s first Women’s College World Series since 2010, the Bruins finished with a 1-2 record. Overall, the Bruins scored 21 runs in their three world series games this year, and allowed their opponents to score 22.
Compiled by Taylor Hollowell, Bruin Sports reporter.