UCLA Softball Dominates South Carolina as Megan Grant Grows Her NCAA Home Run Record Lead
UCLA Softball Dominates South Carolina in NCAA Regional Matchup
The No. 7 UCLA softball team secured a decisive 7-2 victory over South Carolina during their NCAA regional game at Easton Stadium on Saturday, inching closer to winning the regional title. The Bruins, now boasting a record of 49-8, will seek another win to advance further in the tournament.
South Carolina initially took the lead in the second inning, when right fielder Jamie MacKay hit a home run off Bruins’ pitcher Taylor Tinsley. However, Tinsley quickly rebounded by striking out the Gamecocks’ Tate Davis and Natalie Heath to end the inning.
Tinsley, who faced a challenging game the previous night, demonstrated resilience on Saturday, allowing only two runs on seven hits throughout seven innings while striking out six batters and issuing one walk. "In the postseason, one of the most important things you can do is have short-term memory," said UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. "I am proud of how Taylor came out and played a great game."
UCLA’s offense rallied behind Tinsley, with Bri Alejandre hitting a two-run homer that put the Bruins ahead 2-1 in the second inning. Shortly after, Soo-Jin Berry contributed with a double, scoring two more runs and extending the Bruins’ lead to 4-1. Megan Grant, cheered on by former NCAA national champion teammates Kiki Rice and Amanda Muse, hit a two-run home run, marking her 39th of the season and reinforcing her position at the top of the NCAA single-season home run record.
Jin-Berry, a transfer who watched last year’s Women’s College World Series run from Iowa, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to join UCLA this season. "It’s awesome to get an inside look at what it’s like to be great," she remarked. "The standard that the coaches hold for us and the standard we have for each other, there is nothing like it."
Though Tinsley conceded another home run in the third inning that brought the score to 5-2, the Bruins maintained control of the game. Aleena Garcia, the hero of Friday’s matchup, capped the scoring with a homer in the fifth inning, securing a 7-2 lead that the Bruins defended for the remainder of the game.
UCLA is set to face the winner of the contest between Cal State Fullerton and California Baptist on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. for a chance to host the NCAA super regional should they advance.
