Kaitlyn Terry
Bruins Display Pitching, Lineup Depth in Fall Ball Scrimmage
October 23, 2023 | Softball
LOS ANGELES – The UCLA softball team hosted a pair of closed scrimmages versus CSUN and Loyola Marymount at Easton Stadium last weekend. The Bruins' communications staff was on hand for UCLA's 8-1 victory over the Lions on Saturday, Oct. 21.
UCLA's starting lineup for the scrimmage is listed at the bottom of this article. The Bruins played with 10 batters in the lineup in order to give the team more looks at the plate.
Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Terry started in the circle against Loyola Marymount and turned in four scoreless, no-hit innings and struck out eight batters. The Glendale, Ariz. native totaled 73 pitches. Terry settled in after walking two of the first three batters she faced in a 29-pitch first inning. She struck out the side in the second on 12 pitches and retiring the last nine Lions in order.
"In her first inning, she was definitely overthrowing a little and she knew that," said associate head coach Kirk Walker. "It was really great to see her settle in, spin the ball and control all the zones. I thought she did a great job for her first outing."
It was Terry's first time throwing to opposing batters as a Bruin, and it was also the first time her teammates got to play behind the calm and collected left-hander known as "KT."
"I love playing behind KT. Sharlize (Palacios) and I call her 'The Lawnmower' because she just mows people down," said infielder Jordan Woolery. "It was good to see her out there and see her get through her first-inning nerves. After that, she settled in and did her thing."
The UCLA offense supplied runs in the bottom of the second, third, fourth and fifth innings. Two Bruins – Seneca Curo and Savannah Pola – left the yard. Curo's homer came on an 0-2 count to left field, scratching UCLA's first run across the board in the second inning. Curo made eight starts at shortstop last year before missing the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
"I feel great," Curo said. "It's definitely a different team and culture, but we still have high standards. I'm excited to see everything we accomplish this year."
Curo moved over from second base to shortstop in the fifth inning.
"It's awesome to be back on the field. This year, my motto is 'try to have fun and take advantage of every opportunity.'"
Reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year Maya Brady appeared to be in midseason form, smashing a double to right field in the bottom of the third to put two runners in scoring position. Two sacrifice flies from Woolery and Palacios completed the job to stretch the lead to 3-0.
UCLA put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth. Woolery, the 2023 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, doubled over the Loyola Marymount right fielder's head to score Taylor Stephens from first base. Palacios hit a hard shot to shortstop to score pinch runner Lauren Hatch who deked the Lion infielder with some nifty baserunning to obstruct her view and judgment of the grounder. Pola put a cap to the scoring with a two-run homer to right field.
Sophomore Taylor Tinsley entered the game in the fifth and struck out five batters. She allowed one hit which came in a situational play with a runner placed on second base.
The defensive play of the game was an outfield assist by center fielder Janelle Meoño who threw a one-hopper to Palacios at home plate to end the top of the fifth.
UCLA concluded the 2023 season ranked No. 13 in the NFCA poll with a 52-7 overall record.
The Bruins' home fall games are closed to the public.
UCLA Starting Lineup
1. Megan Grant (RF)
2. Maya Brady (SS)
3. Jordan Woolery (3B)
4. Sharlize Palacios (DP)
5. Savannah Pola (DP)
6. Seneca Curo (2B)
7. Kaitlyn Terry (P)
8. Alexis Ramirez (C)
9. Addison Mettler (1B)
10. Janelle Meoño (CF)
Liesl Osteen (LF)
UCLA's starting lineup for the scrimmage is listed at the bottom of this article. The Bruins played with 10 batters in the lineup in order to give the team more looks at the plate.
Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Terry started in the circle against Loyola Marymount and turned in four scoreless, no-hit innings and struck out eight batters. The Glendale, Ariz. native totaled 73 pitches. Terry settled in after walking two of the first three batters she faced in a 29-pitch first inning. She struck out the side in the second on 12 pitches and retiring the last nine Lions in order.
"In her first inning, she was definitely overthrowing a little and she knew that," said associate head coach Kirk Walker. "It was really great to see her settle in, spin the ball and control all the zones. I thought she did a great job for her first outing."
It was Terry's first time throwing to opposing batters as a Bruin, and it was also the first time her teammates got to play behind the calm and collected left-hander known as "KT."
"I love playing behind KT. Sharlize (Palacios) and I call her 'The Lawnmower' because she just mows people down," said infielder Jordan Woolery. "It was good to see her out there and see her get through her first-inning nerves. After that, she settled in and did her thing."
The UCLA offense supplied runs in the bottom of the second, third, fourth and fifth innings. Two Bruins – Seneca Curo and Savannah Pola – left the yard. Curo's homer came on an 0-2 count to left field, scratching UCLA's first run across the board in the second inning. Curo made eight starts at shortstop last year before missing the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
"I feel great," Curo said. "It's definitely a different team and culture, but we still have high standards. I'm excited to see everything we accomplish this year."
Curo moved over from second base to shortstop in the fifth inning.
"It's awesome to be back on the field. This year, my motto is 'try to have fun and take advantage of every opportunity.'"
Reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year Maya Brady appeared to be in midseason form, smashing a double to right field in the bottom of the third to put two runners in scoring position. Two sacrifice flies from Woolery and Palacios completed the job to stretch the lead to 3-0.
UCLA put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth. Woolery, the 2023 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, doubled over the Loyola Marymount right fielder's head to score Taylor Stephens from first base. Palacios hit a hard shot to shortstop to score pinch runner Lauren Hatch who deked the Lion infielder with some nifty baserunning to obstruct her view and judgment of the grounder. Pola put a cap to the scoring with a two-run homer to right field.
Sophomore Taylor Tinsley entered the game in the fifth and struck out five batters. She allowed one hit which came in a situational play with a runner placed on second base.
The defensive play of the game was an outfield assist by center fielder Janelle Meoño who threw a one-hopper to Palacios at home plate to end the top of the fifth.
UCLA concluded the 2023 season ranked No. 13 in the NFCA poll with a 52-7 overall record.
The Bruins' home fall games are closed to the public.
UCLA Starting Lineup
1. Megan Grant (RF)
2. Maya Brady (SS)
3. Jordan Woolery (3B)
4. Sharlize Palacios (DP)
5. Savannah Pola (DP)
6. Seneca Curo (2B)
7. Kaitlyn Terry (P)
8. Alexis Ramirez (C)
9. Addison Mettler (1B)
10. Janelle Meoño (CF)
Liesl Osteen (LF)
Players Mentioned
UTIL
/ Softball
UTIL
/ Softball
UTIL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
UTIL
/ Softball
C/INF
/ Softball
UTIL
/ Softball
P/INF
/ Softball
INF
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