The UCLA softball team, ranked No. 9 nationally, won both of its games Friday at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California. The Bruins defeated Nevada 6-5 and No. 20 Duke 10-5 at Big League Dreams Sports Park.
Senior Jordan Woolery led UCLA offensively, recording three hits in seven at-bats with four RBIs and a home run across the two games. Pitcher Taylor Tinsley was credited with the win in both contests, pitching a total of 10 innings and striking out nine batters. Tinsley’s season record improved to 7-2.
In the first game against Nevada, UCLA overcame a three-run deficit. Nevada broke a tie in the fifth inning with a home run by Lexi O’Gorman and added two more runs after Saige Alfaro’s single. The Bruins responded in the bottom half of the inning with consecutive hits, including doubles from Rylee Slimp and Grant, narrowing the gap. Jordan Woolery followed with an RBI single, and Kaniya Bragg advanced runners into scoring position. Ramsey Suarez tied the game with an RBI single.
Tinsley held Nevada scoreless in the sixth inning before UCLA took the lead on Bragg’s RBI single. Earlier, Grant hit her 10th home run of the season for her 200th career RBI, becoming only the seventh player in program history to reach that milestone.
UCLA starter Natalie Cable recorded seven strikeouts over her outing but allowed four earned runs off eight hits.
In their second game of the day against Duke, Tinsley pitched a complete game after throwing 45 pitches earlier against Nevada. She finished with six strikeouts and gave up five runs to Duke.
After falling behind early, UCLA scored four runs in the second inning to take control. Walks by Mia Phillips and Slimp set up Grant for a sacrifice fly that tied the game before Woolery hit a three-run homer. Over three games at this tournament, Woolery has collected six hits—including two home runs—and driven in ten runs.
UCLA extended its lead with another rally later in the game as Suarez doubled and Slimp drove in two more runs with another double. A fielding error by Duke allowed an additional run to score.
Freshman Jolyna Lamar added an RBI single late in the game while facing her mother’s team; Jolyna’s sister Layla played for Duke as well.
The Bruins’ offense produced ten runs on eight hits against Duke pitcher Cassidy Curd.
UCLA is scheduled to play Fresno State and No. 13 South Carolina next at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Saturday afternoon and evening; both games will be available via paid streaming on FloCollege.
