Bruins fall short “Ran out of time”
It was a tough finish for UCLA softball team (43-12) fell to eighth-seeded Stanford, 3-1, in an elimination game at the Women’s College World Series at Devon Park. With the loss, the Bruins were eliminated from the WCWS after picking up the pieces on a slow start.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
It was a tough finish for UCLA softball team (43-12) fell to eighth-seeded Stanford, 3-1, in an elimination game at the Women’s College World Series at Devon Park. With the loss, the Bruins were eliminated from the WCWS after picking up the pieces on a slow start.
Stanford (50-16) staved off elimination for the fifth time this post season while out scoring their opponents 26-3. NiJaree Canady (24-6) the USA Collegiate Player of the Year allowed just four hits with the big blow being a homer by Megan Grant in the second inning.
WCWS Bruins bright spot- Megan Grant goes uptown with a homer vs Stanford (Photo: UCLA Athletics)
The previous game the BRUINS fell to Oklahoma 1-0 as but it was Kaitlyn Terry and Taylor Tinsley who allowed just four hits against a tough offensive Sooner team.
“I don’t even know how to sum up in a short opening statement of just how proud I am of this team,” said head coach Kelly Inouye- Perez in a press conference following a loss to the Cardinal.
“I told them to keep it together. I’m just going to say this. I’m proud. I’ve said this, I’ve never been so proud of a team. I’ve coached a long time. It was hard. This season was hard. Nobody expected us, I was telling the team, not even us, that we were going to get here. Our coaches, our players, our staff, the support, the belief, the trust, the work to get us back here is something that I am proud of.
They began the season finishing February going 3-4. They were mercy run by TEXAS (16-0 and Oklahoma State (9-1) on back-to-back days at Easton Stadium. They also fell to Georgia -7-2 before beating them in the Super Regionals. Then they turned things around winning 30 of the final 35 games.
“ When I put it all together, this is the greatest year of coaching I’ve experienced. Man, building belief, building trust, building a team that could fight. We were right where we needed to be, and we ran out of time. But we were prepared. I know that everyone knew at any moment this team could win a ballgame. I’m proud of my young pitching staff. I’m proud of Maya Brady In February we looked at each other. It was like, Do you believe? We looked at each other with, Wow, is this really happening?”
The Bruin offense struggled again for the second straight game, recording just four hits in 25 plate appearances (.160). UCLA was better with two outs (.222, 2-for-9), and with runners-on (.400, 2-for-5), but was 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position.
Bruin pitchers Terry and Tinsley again kept UCLA in the game, combining to allowing just six hits to the Cardinal. Terry fell to 21-3 on the year, pitching two and a third innings while giving up three hits and two runs with three strikeouts. Tinsley pitched three and two-thirds innings while allowing three hits and giving up one run with one strikeout. Neither Bruin pitcher
allowed a walk in the final softball game against two Pac-12 teams.
Tinsley watched several World Series games with her father. “Just being able to pitch soak up the environment, there’s a lot of people watching you ,”said Tinsley. “That’s why I wanted to be a pitcher.”
This team had grit and a “never say die” mentality. They came from behind 11 times during the season. They entered the WCWS on a 14-game win streak.
Brady showed emotion in made a statement of gratitude. ” Just a dream.” said the two-time PAC-12 Player of the Year. “I feel like a little girl you always look at the program, the coaching staff the players, you think that they’re untouchable. Just to get the opportunity to wear this jersey, get my degree, I have my master’s now and be close to my family. It surpassed my expectations. We never got to win but trust me I’m winning in life.”
