The UCLA softball team, ranked seventh nationally, secured two decisive victories at the Mark Campbell Invitational in Irvine, California on Saturday. The Bruins defeated Oregon State 12-4 and Utah 11-0, both games ending after five innings due to the mercy rule.
UCLA has started its season with a strong offensive performance, hitting 15 home runs over four games and achieving a team slugging percentage of 1.055. Seven players have contributed home runs so far this season. Senior Jordan Woolery and junior Kaniya Bragg each lead the team with three home runs.
Saturday’s games featured standout performances from several players. Bragg hit two three-run home runs against Oregon State, including a walk-off shot that ended the game early. Freshman Bri Alejandre also recorded two home runs in the game against Utah.
Sophomore Rylee Slimp led UCLA with five hits across both games, including one home run and two doubles.
Pitchers Brynne Nally and Taylor Tinsley delivered strong outings for the Bruins. Nally did not allow a hit during her relief appearance against Oregon State and struck out five batters over 3.1 innings to earn her first win for UCLA. Tinsley carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning against Utah and finished with seven strikeouts while allowing just one hit for her ninth career shutout.
In the opening game against Oregon State, UCLA responded to an early deficit with a two-run homer by senior Megan Grant in the first inning. After falling behind again in the second inning, UCLA regained control in the third when Bragg hit her first three-run homer of the day. The Bruins added more runs through extra-base hits from Aleena Garcia and Alejandre before closing out the game in five innings following another three-run homer from Bragg.
Against Utah, Slimp began scoring with a leadoff home run—her second of Week 1—and continued to contribute offensively throughout the game. The Bruins scored multiple times in both the second and third innings through additional homers by Alejandre and back-to-back shots from Garcia and Alejandre.
UCLA will play UC Riverside at Easton Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m., which will be livestreamed on BigTenPlus.com. This marks their last home appearance until March 6.
