The No. 7 UCLA softball team defeated Michigan State 10-2 in six innings on March 15 at Easton Stadium, completing a series sweep and extending its winning streak to 19 games.
The victory brings the Bruins’ record to 25-3 overall and 6-0 in Big Ten play. UCLA’s offense continued its strong performance, hitting three home runs for the game and marking their twentieth consecutive contest with at least one homer. The team also drew ten walks, matching its season high for the third time.
Rylee Slimp, Megan Grant, and Jordan Woolery each hit home runs for UCLA. Grant is now tied for the NCAA lead with 21 home runs and leads the country in both walks (39) and on-base percentage (.723). Woolery contributed two walks, a sacrifice fly, and continues to lead the nation with 60 RBIs. Senior pitcher Taylor Tinsley earned her fourteenth win of the season by pitching a complete game with five strikeouts while allowing two runs on six hits.
Michigan State took an early lead in the first inning after Zoie Bernard doubled and was driven home by Sophia Grillo’s sacrifice fly. However, Slimp quickly tied the game for UCLA with a leadoff home run in the bottom half of the inning. The Bruins broke open the game in the third inning when Grant and Woolery hit back-to-back homers—a feat they have accomplished six times together—and added more runs following a Michigan State fielding error.
UCLA continued to add to its lead through sacrifice flies from Bri Alejandre and Woolery as well as timely hitting from Jolyna Lamar. The game ended early due to run-rule after Slimp drove in another run and Grant delivered a walk-off sacrifice fly.
Looking ahead, UCLA will travel east for its first Big Ten Conference road series of the season against Rutgers from March 21-23. The opening game is scheduled for Friday at Rutgers Softball Complex.
