FULLERTON, Calif. – The No. 2 UCLA softball team notched two victories over UCF, 2-1, and Fresno State, 8-1, on day one of the Judi Garman Classic at Anderson Family Field on Friday.
Brooke Yanez led the Bruins (19-1) in the circle against the Knights (10-10), tossing a complete game with seven strikeouts for her sixth win of the season. In the night cap versus the Bulldogs (7-9), redshirt junior Maya Brady gave UCLA its first lead of the game with a three-run homer in the third inning. Brady padded the Bruins' lead with her second homer of the night in the fifth – a two-run shot to right field.
Brady is the 12th player in UCLA history to record four or more multi-home run games in their career.
Brady's heroics began in game one of the day versus UCF.
With the game tied 1-1 heading in the bottom of the seventh, freshman Kennedy Powell led off the inning with single up the middle and was bunted over on a sacrifice by Lauryn Carter. Two walks later, the bases were loaded for Brady with two outs.
Brady batted a ball to UCF left fielder Sarah Willis who misjudged the ball, stepping back on her first step before lunging forward on a diving attempt. Brady's hit won UCLA the game in walk-off fashion.
The Bruins got on the board first in the third inning. Sophomore Savannah Pola doubled down the left field line, and one batter later, was knocked in by utility Megan Grant.
The Knights' lone run came on a solo shot by Jasmine Williams in the sixth inning.
Freshman Taylor Tinsley started game two against Fresno State and went 2.2 innings, allowing one earned run and striking out three.
Momentum began mounting for UCLA in the third inning when redshirt senior Kelli Godin led off with a bunt base hit and stole second. A walk to Pola put runners on the corners for the Bruins' slugging leader Brady. With one crack of the bat, UCLA took the lead for good, 3-1.
Rachel Cid tacked on another in the fourth inning with the third triple of her career to score Lauryn Carter. Pola put the icing on her 3-for-3 night with a two-RBI single in the sixth inning.
UCLA will face Cal Poly and Michigan on day two of the Judi Garman Classic tomorrow. The Bruins will play the Mustangs at 9:30 a.m. (PT) and conclude with the Wolverines at 12 p.m. (PT). Fans can follow the live stats link on UCLA's schedule page.
Brooke Yanez led the Bruins (19-1) in the circle against the Knights (10-10), tossing a complete game with seven strikeouts for her sixth win of the season. In the night cap versus the Bulldogs (7-9), redshirt junior Maya Brady gave UCLA its first lead of the game with a three-run homer in the third inning. Brady padded the Bruins' lead with her second homer of the night in the fifth – a two-run shot to right field.
Brady is the 12th player in UCLA history to record four or more multi-home run games in their career.
Brady's heroics began in game one of the day versus UCF.
With the game tied 1-1 heading in the bottom of the seventh, freshman Kennedy Powell led off the inning with single up the middle and was bunted over on a sacrifice by Lauryn Carter. Two walks later, the bases were loaded for Brady with two outs.
Brady batted a ball to UCF left fielder Sarah Willis who misjudged the ball, stepping back on her first step before lunging forward on a diving attempt. Brady's hit won UCLA the game in walk-off fashion.
The Bruins got on the board first in the third inning. Sophomore Savannah Pola doubled down the left field line, and one batter later, was knocked in by utility Megan Grant.
The Knights' lone run came on a solo shot by Jasmine Williams in the sixth inning.
Freshman Taylor Tinsley started game two against Fresno State and went 2.2 innings, allowing one earned run and striking out three.
Momentum began mounting for UCLA in the third inning when redshirt senior Kelli Godin led off with a bunt base hit and stole second. A walk to Pola put runners on the corners for the Bruins' slugging leader Brady. With one crack of the bat, UCLA took the lead for good, 3-1.
Rachel Cid tacked on another in the fourth inning with the third triple of her career to score Lauryn Carter. Pola put the icing on her 3-for-3 night with a two-RBI single in the sixth inning.
UCLA will face Cal Poly and Michigan on day two of the Judi Garman Classic tomorrow. The Bruins will play the Mustangs at 9:30 a.m. (PT) and conclude with the Wolverines at 12 p.m. (PT). Fans can follow the live stats link on UCLA's schedule page.