UCLA Softball Hosts Regionals as Woolery Earns National Recognition
The UCLA Bruins (49-10, 17-5 Big Ten) are set to make their record 40th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, hosting the Los Angeles Regional beginning Friday, May 16. The opening matchup will see UCLA take on Big West champion UC Santa Barbara at 4:30 p.m. PT, with the game airing on ESPN+. Also competing in the regional are Arizona State and San Diego State.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
The UCLA Bruins (49-10, 17-5 Big Ten) are set to make their record 40th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, hosting the Los Angeles Regional beginning Friday, May 16. The opening matchup will see UCLA take on Big West champion UC Santa Barbara at 4:30 p.m. PT, with the game airing on ESPN+. Also competing in the regional are Arizona State and San Diego State.
All-session tickets for the Los Angeles Regional are on sale now. Gates will open 90 minutes before the first pitch each day. All games will be broadcast across the ESPN Family of Networks.
Under the leadership of Shelly Carlin UCLA Head Softball Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez, the Bruins have maintained a dominant presence in postseason play. Inouye-Perez has guided the team to national titles in 2010 and 2019, and holds an impressive 86-34 postseason record over 18 seasons. Last year, she led the program to its 32nd Women’s College World Series appearance—her 10th at the helm.
Woolery’s Power Bat Earns National Spotlight
As UCLA chases another national title, one Bruin is drawing national attention for her standout season. Star slugger Megan Woolery is among the Top 10 Finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year—the sport’s most prestigious individual honor.
Woolery has delivered eye-popping offensive numbers, boasting a .416 batting average, 20 home runs, 75 RBIs, and a .890 slugging percentage—each marking a career high. Her 75 RBIs rank second in UCLA single-season history, and she becomes just the 11th player in program history to hit 20 homers in a season.
The award’s Top 3 finalists will be announced May 19, with the winner named prior to the Women’s College World Series. UCLA has had two previous winners: Stacey Nuveman (2002) and Rachel Garcia (2018, 2019).
As the Bruins prepare for another deep tournament run, the combination of postseason pedigree and individual brilliance makes this UCLA squad one to watch.
2025 NCAA Los Angeles Regional Schedule
Friday, May 16
Game 1: UCLA vs. UC Santa Barbara – 4:30 p.m. PT (ESPN+)
Game 2: Arizona State vs. San Diego State – 7 p.m. PT (ESPN2)
