Coming into this weekend’s series at Easton Stadium, Arizona softball was third in the country with a combined ERA of 1.23. Coming out of the series, it’s now a bit higher. Read more...

Photo: Bubba Nickles’ three-run shot ended Friday evening’s game against No. 3 Arizona. The freshman center fielder sent a ball to deep left center, and the home run put the mercy rule into effect in the bottom of the fifth inning. (Amy Dixon/Daily Bruin)

They’ve combined for 20 national titles, but UCLA and Arizona softball are only focused on this weekend’s series. The Bruins and the Wildcats are two of the most decorated programs in college softball and lead the Pac-12 conference in softball titles. Read more...

Photo: Sophomore Brianna Tautalafua and the UCLA softball team will take on No. 3 Arizona in the penultimate conference series of the season. The Bruins will counter the Pac-12 leader in home runs with strong pitching, key hits and pinpoint communication. (Hannah Johnson/Daily Bruin)

Division I softball consists of 32 conferences, yet the Pac-12 has taken home 23 of the 33 national championship trophies. “There is no conference that can stand toe-to-toe with the Pac-12,” said coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. Read more...

Photo: Assistant coach Lisa Fernandez is a big reason why, historically, the Pac-12 has been such a dominant force in collegiate softball. As a player at UCLA, she took home conference Player of the Year in each of her final three years. (Amy Dixon/Daily Bruin)

Seasons are comprised of streaks, and UCLA softball is riding a season-long eight-game victory run. Stanford (18-27, 1-17 Pac-12) joins Cal State Fullerton, California and Cal State Northridge as No. Read more...

Photo: Utility Kylee Perez had a record weekend as the UCLA softball team swept Stanford. In the first of three games, the freshman tied UCLA’s single-game hits record with five. (Hannah Johnson/Daily Bruin)

Pac-12 play is winding down for UCLA softball, but the Bruins are the most confident they’ve been all season long. “(Our confidence is) really good. It’s really high,” said senior outfielder Gabrielle Maurice. Read more...

Photo: Junior Selina Ta’amilo and the Bruins will head up to Stanford to take on the Cardinal in their second-to-last conference series. UCLA is currently on a five-game win streak. (Amy Dixon/Daily Bruin)

No. 12 UCLA softball picked up a nonconference win over Cal State Northridge on Wednesday, defending a tight lead for seven innings in a close matchup before breaking the score in the seventh inning to win 5-0. Read more...

Photo: Gabrielle Maurice had an RBI single to open up the scoring in the second inning. (Hannah Johnson/Daily Bruin)

UCLA softball coach Kelly Inouye-Perez didn’t sugarcoat the difficulties of playing a midweek game. “I think midweeks are always a challenge,” Inouye-Perez said. “It’s actually not always a great thing. Read more...

Photo: In last week’s midweek contest against Cal State Fullerton, senior shortstop Delaney Spaulding went 2-for-4 with a run scored. UCLA will face Cal State Northridge – another midweek opponent – Wednesday. (Amy Dixon/Daily Bruin)