The Bruins played just 25 innings across five games on opening weekend, mercy-ruling their opponents in each contest.
The Bruins’ bats were swinging all weekend, totaling 68 runs and 23 home runs across the three days of competition.
Eight home runs in their final game of the weekend set a new program record for most homers in a single game.
“We’ve got a lot of power,” said senior utility Megan Grant. “It shows that anyone in the lineup is a threat.”
No. 10 UCLA softball (5-0) jumpstarted its season with wins against Oregon State (3-2) and Utah (4-1) on Saturday in Irvine, and UC Riverside (1-4) on Sunday at Easton Stadium, following up its back-to-back wins Friday night. Seniors Grant and infielder Jordan Woolery each recorded five home runs throughout the weekend, and four other Bruins followed suit with out-of-the-park blasts.
Three of Grant’s homers contributed to Sunday’s eight-homer total, tying a single-game UCLA record set in 2009. Two of those came in just the first inning, where the Bruins’ five inaugural-inning home runs now sit third best in NCAA history.
“It’s honestly really cool, especially with all the legacy that UCLA softball does have, of all the records, all the history,” Woolery said. “It’s cool to see that there are still things we can achieve and records we can break.”
The “Bruin Bombers,” Grant and Woolery, also combined for 25 RBIs across the weekend from the second and third spot in the batting order, respectively.
The first game of Saturday against Oregon State was UCLA’s tightest match. But a three-run home run from sophomore infielder Kaniya Bragg secured the walk-off, mercy-rule win in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ahead of her in the order, sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp and Grant had reached base with a double and a walk, respectively. Both players had an on-base percentage above .750 this weekend.
“I love having people on and then being able to do whatever it takes to score them, whether it’s a walk or even a home run,” Bragg said. “Anything to get RBIs, it’s so amazing.”
For the Bruins, opening weekend was about getting their newcomers adjusted. With 11 new faces on the roster – amid only 10 returners – all but one pitcher played across the five-game slate.
The weekend was also a chance to solidify the Bruins’ infield, with Woolery at first base. Joining the senior was Bragg at second, freshman Bri Alejandre at third and redshirt freshman Aleena Garcia – whose season ended prematurely last year when she sustained an injury after three weeks of play – at shortstop.
“The coaching staff has said, ‘Best infield in the country,’ in that they’re very athletic … and they have strong arms and high IQ,” said coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. “We’re going to continue to get challenged as we go through, but what we have going right now is athletes that are freed up and are just playing the game.”
The Bruins took the opportunity to settle into the season before competition ramps up at the Clearwater Invitational next weekend.
They also honored namesake Stacy Winsberg, a 1980s program alumnus who died in 2001, for the opening weekend tournament.
“The biggest part of why we’re recognizing Stacy is – first, the fact that she was our first fallen Bruin – it’s just how she played. The goal is to be able to have people tell stories after you, when you’re done playing, because of the way that you played,” Inouye-Perez said. “Stacy is a great reminder for all of us to take a moment and stop and appreciate how effort and attitude are two things that you have completely in your control.”
Comments are closed.