For UCLA softball, it was a season that started with high hopes, yet ended like the two previous. The Bruins advanced to the College World Series in Oklahoma City, one of their goals of the season. Read more...

Photo: Rachel Garcia’s freshman year was successful enough to earn her the NFCA National Freshman of the Year, but the redshirt freshman pitcher couldn’t break UCLA softball’s championship draught. (Habeba Mostafa/Daily Bruin)

Ali Aguilar stepped to the plate to lead off the sixth inning for the Washington Huskies. The game was scoreless. Moments later, a softball off Aguilar’s bat landed 273 feet away from home plate, giving Washington a 1-0 advantage over UCLA. Read more...

Photo: Freshman pitcher Rachel Garcia allowed one run, gave up five hits and struck out seven on 101 pitches. UCLA softball’s 1-0 loss to Washington knocks the Bruins out of the NCAA Tournament. (Ken Shin/Daily Bruin)

Once again, No. 5-seeded UCLA softball is among the last eight teams standing. UCLA has reached the first weekend of the Women’s College World Series for the past two years, but each time, it hasn’t advanced to the finals. Read more...

Photo: Senior shortstop Delaney Spaulding will make her third straight trip to the Women’s College World Series on the weekend. Last year, the Bruins lost their first two games and went home. In 2015, they lost two of their first three to end the season. (Axel Lopez/Daily Bruin)

UCLA and Mississippi softball expected a pitching duel between their starting pitchers Thursday. It wasn’t until the second game of the series – when neither team relied on its ace – that the close matchup played out. Read more...

Photo: Junior pitcher Selina Ta’amilo tossed three shutout innings in UCLA’s regional-clinching win over Ole Miss on Friday. In 26 appearances this year, she owns a 14-0 record with a 2.79 ERA. (Axel Lopez/Daily Bruin)