Thursday, May 11
Tucson, AZ
4:00 PM
UCLA
at
Arizona
Megan Faraimo (photo: Ross Turteltaub)
Photo by: Ross Turteltaub
No. 1 Seed UCLA to Play at Inaugural Pac-12 Softball Tournament
May 09, 2023 | Softball
LOS ANGELES – The No. 1 seed UCLA softball team will play the winner of Arizona-Arizona State in the quarterfinal round of the inaugural Pac-12 Softball Tournament at Hillenbrand Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. on Thursday, May 11 at 4 p.m. (PT).
The postseason match up will be televised on the Pac-12 Network. The Bruins (50-4, 21-3), who swept their last five Pac-12 opponents including the Wildcats and Sun Devils, would face the winner of Oregon-Stanford in the semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m. (PT).
Tickets for the tournament can be bought at this link.
UCLA is led in the circle by redshirt senior Megan Faraimo who has picked up a win in each of her last 15 appearances. She leads the nation with 28 victories this season. At the plate, Pac-12 Batting Champion Maya Brady leads the team with a .456 average, 56 runs batted in and 16 home runs.
Key Notes About the Bruins
· UCLA captured its 17th regular-season conference title and its 12th as a member of the Pac-10/12 Conference in 2023.
· As a result, the Bruins are the No. 1 seed in the inaugural Pac-12 Softball Tournament (May 10-13).
· The Bruins have won 23 straight games dating back to March 25.
· UCLA is riding a 17-game conference winning streak heading into the Pac-12 Softball Tournament next week.
· UCLA finished April an undefeated 17-0.
· UCLA enters the week ranking top 10 nationally in both batting average (2nd - .345) and earned run average (6th - 1.56). Oklahoma is the only other Power 5 team in the top 10 statistically for both categories.
· The Bruins' bats lead the Pac-12 in average (.345) and slugging percentage (.535).
· And the Bruins' arms lead the Pac-12 in ERA (1.56) shutouts (20), strikeouts (379) and opposing batting average (.187).
Spring Cleaning
UCLA swept five consecutive Pac-12 foes to end its conference slate. The Bruins' 21 Pac-12 wins are their most in a season since 1999. For just the second time in the last 20 years (2021), UCLA has taken the season series against every Pac-12 opponent. The Bruins' 17-game conference winning streak is the second longest among all Power 5 programs this season and is the Bruins' longest in a single season since 2002. UCLA is one of just three teams to not drop a conference series this year (Oklahoma and Florida State).
UCLA Postseason History
· The Bruins have made 37 total NCAA Tournament appearances, including 23 straight since 1999.
· UCLA has appeared in seven consecutive Women's College World Series which is the longest active streak in the NCAA.
· The Bruins' 31 total WCWS berths are also an NCAA record.
· UCLA is the winning program in the history of the sport with 12 NCAA Championships.
· The Bruins hold the distinction as the only program to win a championship in every decade, including their 1978 AIAW title.
· The Bruins also hold the distinction as the only program to ever three-peat NCAA Championships (1988-90).
· UCLA owns an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 233-64 (.785).
Two Top 10 Finalists for Player of the Year
Redshirt junior utility Maya Brady and redshirt senior pitcher Megan Faraimo were named top 10 finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. Faraimo (28-2, 1.11 ERA, 215 SO) has made the cut for the top 10 for the second time in her career (2021). This is Brady's first acknowledgement of her career. Brady (.456 AVG, 56 RBI, 16 HR) has been the anchor of the Bruins' lineup in the No. 2 spot this season. She leads the team in batting average, home runs, runs batted in and slugging percentage all while undertaking a new position defensively at shortstop. Two Bruins have been honored as USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year a total of three times (Rachel Garcia - 2019, 2018; Stacey Nuveman 2002).
Brady Wins Pac-12 Batting Crown
Brady won the 2023 Pac-12 batting title with a .456 average following the conclusion of all conference regular-season games last Sunday. Thirty-one of Brady's 72 hits have gone for extra bases, including 16 home runs, three triples and 12 doubles. She boasts a .873 slugging percentage and 1.392 OPS. Brady is the 13th Bruin to be crowned as the Pac-12 Batting Champion and the first since Kelli Godin in 2019. UCLA players have combined to win the batting title a total of 16 times. Yvonne Gutierrez won the title twice in 1990 and 1991 and Stacey Nuveman won the title three times in 1999, 2001 and 2002. The Bruins' roster now touts four Pac-12 Batting Champions in Godin (2019), Aaliyah Jordan (2018) and Janelle Meoño (2021), who earned the honor at Arizona her redshirt freshman season.
Two Top 25 Finalists for Freshman of the Year
The Bruins also boast two of the top freshmen in the country in utility Megan Grant and first baseman Jordan Woolery. UCLA is one of just two teams (Duke) to have two players listed as Top 25 Finalists for TUCCI/NFCA Freshman of the Year. Rachel Garcia (2017) is the only Bruin to win the award in its nine-year history. Grant and Woolery are each having two of the most productive seasons ever by a UCLA freshman. They have combined for 99 RBI this season which is the most by a freshman duo in UCLA history, passing the previous mark of 90 RBI set in 1997 by Stacey Nuveman (71) and Courtney Dale (19).
A Trio of .400 Hitters
UCLA is one of just two teams among Power 5 programs to have three players on its roster batting above .400 this season (Oklahoma). Maya Brady (.456 AVG), Jordan Woolery (.409 AVG) and Kennedy Powell (.408 AVG) make up the impressive Bruin trio. UCLA has never had three players each bat .400+ in a single season.
MEGANTRON
Faraimo, who has hauled in four Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week awards this season, has picked up a win in each of her last 15 appearances in the circle. Earlier this season, she set a career-long scoreless inning streak of 35.2 innings that was snapped in game three against Arizona on April 16. The two-time NFCA All-American boasts a miniscule WHIP of 0.77 this season. She is on pace to become first Bruin hurler since Ally Carda in 2015 to win 30 games in a season. There have been a total of 10 30-win campaigns by seven UCLA pitchers in program history. The Oceanside, Calif. native picked up her 20th win of the season at Arizona on April 14, achieving the feat a full month earlier than she did in her 2022 campaign. Faraimo now has back-to-back 20-win, 200-strikeout seasons.
Brady in the Hunt for the Triple Crown
Brady, who leads the Pac-12 in batting average with a .456 clip, is three off the conference lead in home runs with 16 and runs batted in with 56. She trails Arizona State's Jordyn VanHook in HR (19) and Arizona's Allie Skaggs in RBI (59). There have been only three triple crown winners in conference history: Baylee Klingler (2022), Jenny Dalton (1995) and Stacey Nuveman (1999). The Pac-12 triple crown takes into account stats from the entire season.
Another Year of Pac-12 Pitching Domination
UCLA's pitching staff is dominating the conference once again, finishing the regular season ranked first in every meaningful pitching statistical category: wins (50), ERA (1.56), strikeouts (379), shutouts (20), opposing batting average (.187) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.12). UCLA has led the Pac-12 in ERA and wins in each of the last four seasons. In 2022, the Bruins' pitching staff led the Pac-12 in ERA (1.72), strikeouts (486), wins (51), opposing batting average (.180) and saves (12).
100 Dub Club
Faraimo became the fourth pitcher in UCLA history to record 100 wins in a career after picking up her second win of the day against San Diego State on May 5. She joins Keira Goerl (130 W), Anjelica Selden (110) and Ally Carda (100 W) in the 100 Dub Club.
Ooh, That's a Fresh Note
Megan Grant's 54 runs batted in and Jordan Woolery's 45 runs batted in have made UCLA freshman class history. They are the only true freshmen in Bruins' history to each have recorded at least 37+ RBI in a single season. Their 98 combined RBI are the most by a freshman duo in a single season in UCLA history. The 99 RBI are second behind Indiana's Taryn Kern and Avery Parker for the most by a freshman duo this season. Grant's 54 RBI rank second among freshmen in the nation, trailing only Kern (67).
Since softball was adopted by the NCAA, only four freshmen have led UCLA in runs batted in for a single season: Stephany LaRosa (2012, 61 RBI), Stacey Nuveman in (1997, 71 RBI), Janice Parks (1986, 19 RBI) and Chris Olivie (1985, 12 RBI).
Chef Serving Appetizers
In game three at Utah on April 30, Megan Grant belted her second lead-off home run of the season. The freshman phenom took over lead-off duties on April 2 versus No. 6 Stanford and has stayed in that roll ever since (19 games). Grant leads UCLA with 19 RBI, 47 total bases and 12 extra-base hits in that span.
Fresh Faces in the Heart of the Lineup
Grant and Woolery have been mainstays in the top 5 of UCLA's lineup since the beginning of conference play. They have each recorded a grand slam and multi-homer game this season. In 24 conference games, Woolery and Grant rank first and fifth in the Pac-12 in hits with 32 and 29, respectively. Brady is tied with Woolery for 32 hits as well.
Overall, Woolery's .409 batting average currently ranks fourth in UCLA freshman history, trailing Stacey Nuveman, Natasha Watley and her two teammates Aaliyah Jordan and Kelli Godin.
Some Love for the Bottom of the Lineup
One of the biggest reasons for Megan Grant and Maya Brady's production is that the bottom of the lineup has been consistently getting on base. Over UCLA's last 18 games, the Bruins' 7-8-9 batters are hitting a collective .340 batting average (50-for-147) and .449 on-base percentage (16 walks). They have scored 33 runs and knocked in 22 RBI.
Anna Vines and Janelle Meoño, two mainstays at the bottom of the lineup, have been on fire as of late. Meoño has hit 15-for-38 over UCLA's last 16 games. Most recently against San Diego State on May 5, Meoño recorded her first two extra-base hits of the season with a double and triple. In conference games, Anna Vines ranks third on the team with a .408 batting average (20-for-49).
Brady Joins Bates
Brady homered in each of UCLA's three games against Arizona (April 14-16) to stretch her streak to four straight games with a dinger. She is the first Bruin to accomplish that feat since B.B. Bates who homered five games in a row (Feb. 2013).
Big Cat Hunter
Brady has dominated in her 10 career games against UCLA rival Arizona. Lifetime against the Wildcats, Brady is batting for a .517 average (15-for-29) and 1.310 slugging percentage with six home runs, five doubles and 12 RBI.
200 Career Hits for Brady
Brady became the 35th player in UCLA history to record 200 hits in a career. She reached the milestone with a double to the right-center field wall in her first at-bat at BYU on May 1.
Continuing on the Note of Conference Domination
· Four UCLA players hit above .400 in its 24 conference games this season (Brady, Woolery, Vines and Grant).
· Megan Grant and Maya Brady led the Pac-12 with nine home runs in conference play.
· Megan Grant and Maya Brady ranked first and second in extra-base hits during conf. play with 16 and 12, respectively.
· Megan Grant and Maya Brady ranked first and second in slugging percentage in conf. play at .889 and .840, respectively.
· Megan Grant and Maya Brady led the Pac-12 with 26 RBI during conf. play.
Single-Season Records Watch for Brady
Maya Brady (.873 SLG) is on pace to have the best single-season slugging percentage by a Bruin since Megan Langenfeld when she set the UCLA record with a 1.085 mark in 2010. No Bruin has slugged over .900 since that season. Brady is four homers away from recording the first 20-homer season by a Bruin since Stephany LaRosa and Delaney Spaulding in 2015. Her .456 batting average currently ranks ninth best in a single season in UCLA history.
More Feathers in the Helmet for Brady
Maya Brady is one of just two players in the country hitting for a .450-plus batting average with at least 55 runs batted in and 15 home runs (Marshall's Autumn Owen is the other). Brady has three multi-homer games this season (San Diego - Feb. 12; Fresno State - March 3; Washington - March 19), stretching her career total to five. She joins a pantheon of Bruin sluggers, becoming just the seventh player in program history to record at least five multi-homer games in their career.
Approaching 1,000
Faraimo is 17 strikeouts away from becoming just the third player in UCLA history to record 1,000 strikeouts in a career. In the 1,000 K club are Anjelica Selden (1,441 SO; 2005-08) and Keira Goerl (1,095 SO; 2001-04).
Both Sides of the Ball
UCLA is one of just two Power 5 teams to rank top 10 in the country in batting average (2nd - .345) and earned run average (6th - 1.56). Oklahoma is the only other team, and it leads the nation in both categories.
The Queen is Back
Aaliyah Jordan has not skipped a beat since making her return following a year-long recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Jordan was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week for the second time in her career following her first home games in over a year against Stanford last week. She helped the Bruins to a top 10 sweep with a team-leading .571 batting average, two home runs, 1.429 slugging percentage, 10 total bases and three RBI.
Jordan is a two-time NFCA First Team All-American, three-time All-Pac-12 First Team selection and is one of four remaining members from UCLA's 2019 NCAA Championship squad.
Storybook Ending
Seventh Year Aaliyah Jordan hit a walk-off home run against San Diego State last week on May 5 in her final regular-season at-bat at Easton Stadium. It was the Bruins' first second walk-off homer this season.
200 Career RBI
With her two-run homer in game two against Stanford on April 1, Aaliyah Jordan became the sixth player in UCLA history to record 200 runs batted in for a career. Jordan, who has 211 career RBI, trails Tairia Mims Flowers and Stephany LaRosa for third on the all-time list. Jordan is also three doubles away from tying GiOnna DiSalvatore's program record of 65 career two-baggers.
Coach I vs. The Pac-12
Head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez owns a winning record against all eight Pac-12 opponents. Including postseason games, Inouye-Perez owns a record of 279-108 (.721) versus Pac-12 opponents. She has dominated in meetings with Arizona (42-13 record), Oregon State (40-7), Stanford (37-12) and Utah (30-6).
Just Get on the Board
UCLA is 28-0 when scoring in the first inning and is 42-0 when it scores first in games this season.
Back to Her Roots
Maya Brady has undertaken a new position this season as the Bruins' everyday shortstop following a left shoulder injury sustained by utility Seneca Curo. Brady grew up playing the position with her travel ball team OC Batbusters Stith.
Brady Shatters 24-Year-Old Record
Maya Brady broke a 24-year-old record during UCLA's Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament. Brady recorded 11 consecutive base hits across four games, breaking the mark of 10 consecutive hits formerly held by UCLA legends Lisa Fernandez (March 1993) and Stacey Nuveman (Feb. 1999). In total, Brady opened the first week of 2023 going 13-for-16 with 13 RBI and four home runs to earn her NFCA Player of the Week honors for the first time in her career.
More on the UCLA Freshmen, Because Why Not
Megan Grant saw her 24-game reached base streak come to an end on May 1 at BYU. Grant also had a 14-game hitting streak going earlier this season. Both marks are the longest by a Bruin this season.
Enter Sandwoman
Faraimo has been utilized in a reliever role frequently this season. Eleven of her 28 winning decisions have come in relief. The rise-ball pitcher has been nearly automatic with 15 wins in each of her last 15 appearances. Faraimo owns a 0.85 ERA with two shutouts and a 8.29 K/7 rate across that stretch.
Faraimo has thrown two no-hitters this season, improving her career total to seven solo no-hitters. Most recently, Faraimo no-hit No. 3 Florida on Feb. 23, marking the first time a Bruin pitcher no-hit a top 3 opponent since March 28, 2003, when Keira Goerl kept No. 2 Stanford out of the hit column. It was Faraimo's first no-no against a ranked opponent.
Solid Outings From Yanez
Left-handed pitcher Brooke Yanez has gone at least 4.0 innings in each of her last four starts. The spinning lefty has thrown 6.0 innings and allowed just one earned run in each of her last two Pac-12 starts.
Fours Up, Baby
UCLA's roster totes four of the last five Pac-12 Batting Champions in Aaliyah Jordan (2018), Kelli Godin (2019), Janelle Meoño (2021), and now, Maya Brady (.456). Jordan won the title with a .444 batting average (72 hits), Godin with a .426 average (46 hits) and Meoño with a .442 average (61 hits).
Postseason Success
UCLA advanced to the WCWS for the seventh year in a row in 2022, extending its longest active streak in the nation. The Bruins have appeared in the NCAA Tournament a record 37 total times, including 23 straight, and have missed out on just three occasions (last in 1998). UCLA is the winningest team in NCAA postseason history with a 233-64 (.785) record. Head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez has made an NCAA Regional appearance in each of her 16 seasons at the helm of the program.
Faraimo, Yanez Selected in Women's Pro Fast Pitch Draft
Faraimo and Yanez were selected in Monday's 2023 Women's Professional Fast Pitch Draft in Oklahoma City. Both pitchers were selected by the USSSA Pride with Faraimo being was chosen fourth overall in the first round and Yanez 12th overall in the third round. Faraimo and Yanez have the opportunity to join UCLA alumni Delanie Wisz (2020-22) and Delaney Spaulding (2014-17) on the squad. The two selections bring the Bruins' total number of WPF draftees to 35.
Faraimo Picked in Athletes Unlimited Draft
Faraim was selected No. 2 overall in Monday's 2023 Athletes Unlimited Draft. She is the third UCLA player to be drafted to play in the newly-created sports league, including Rachel Garcia and Bubba Nickles.
Inaugural Pac-12 Softball Tournament
Arizona's Hillenbrand Stadium will serve as the host site for the inaugural Pac-12 Softball Tournament, which is set to make its debut from May 10-13, 2023. The four-day event will begin with a play-in game between the eighth and ninth-place teams in the regular-season standings on Wednesday. That winner will advance to an eight-team, single-elimination bracket with the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship being contested on the following three days. The winner of the Pac-12 Softball Tournament will receive the Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Limited tickets are still available by visiting pac12.me/SBTix.
The postseason match up will be televised on the Pac-12 Network. The Bruins (50-4, 21-3), who swept their last five Pac-12 opponents including the Wildcats and Sun Devils, would face the winner of Oregon-Stanford in the semifinals on Friday at 7 p.m. (PT).
Tickets for the tournament can be bought at this link.
UCLA is led in the circle by redshirt senior Megan Faraimo who has picked up a win in each of her last 15 appearances. She leads the nation with 28 victories this season. At the plate, Pac-12 Batting Champion Maya Brady leads the team with a .456 average, 56 runs batted in and 16 home runs.
Key Notes About the Bruins
· UCLA captured its 17th regular-season conference title and its 12th as a member of the Pac-10/12 Conference in 2023.
· As a result, the Bruins are the No. 1 seed in the inaugural Pac-12 Softball Tournament (May 10-13).
· The Bruins have won 23 straight games dating back to March 25.
· UCLA is riding a 17-game conference winning streak heading into the Pac-12 Softball Tournament next week.
· UCLA finished April an undefeated 17-0.
· UCLA enters the week ranking top 10 nationally in both batting average (2nd - .345) and earned run average (6th - 1.56). Oklahoma is the only other Power 5 team in the top 10 statistically for both categories.
· The Bruins' bats lead the Pac-12 in average (.345) and slugging percentage (.535).
· And the Bruins' arms lead the Pac-12 in ERA (1.56) shutouts (20), strikeouts (379) and opposing batting average (.187).
Spring Cleaning
UCLA swept five consecutive Pac-12 foes to end its conference slate. The Bruins' 21 Pac-12 wins are their most in a season since 1999. For just the second time in the last 20 years (2021), UCLA has taken the season series against every Pac-12 opponent. The Bruins' 17-game conference winning streak is the second longest among all Power 5 programs this season and is the Bruins' longest in a single season since 2002. UCLA is one of just three teams to not drop a conference series this year (Oklahoma and Florida State).
UCLA Postseason History
· The Bruins have made 37 total NCAA Tournament appearances, including 23 straight since 1999.
· UCLA has appeared in seven consecutive Women's College World Series which is the longest active streak in the NCAA.
· The Bruins' 31 total WCWS berths are also an NCAA record.
· UCLA is the winning program in the history of the sport with 12 NCAA Championships.
· The Bruins hold the distinction as the only program to win a championship in every decade, including their 1978 AIAW title.
· The Bruins also hold the distinction as the only program to ever three-peat NCAA Championships (1988-90).
· UCLA owns an all-time NCAA Tournament record of 233-64 (.785).
Two Top 10 Finalists for Player of the Year
Redshirt junior utility Maya Brady and redshirt senior pitcher Megan Faraimo were named top 10 finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. Faraimo (28-2, 1.11 ERA, 215 SO) has made the cut for the top 10 for the second time in her career (2021). This is Brady's first acknowledgement of her career. Brady (.456 AVG, 56 RBI, 16 HR) has been the anchor of the Bruins' lineup in the No. 2 spot this season. She leads the team in batting average, home runs, runs batted in and slugging percentage all while undertaking a new position defensively at shortstop. Two Bruins have been honored as USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year a total of three times (Rachel Garcia - 2019, 2018; Stacey Nuveman 2002).
Brady Wins Pac-12 Batting Crown
Brady won the 2023 Pac-12 batting title with a .456 average following the conclusion of all conference regular-season games last Sunday. Thirty-one of Brady's 72 hits have gone for extra bases, including 16 home runs, three triples and 12 doubles. She boasts a .873 slugging percentage and 1.392 OPS. Brady is the 13th Bruin to be crowned as the Pac-12 Batting Champion and the first since Kelli Godin in 2019. UCLA players have combined to win the batting title a total of 16 times. Yvonne Gutierrez won the title twice in 1990 and 1991 and Stacey Nuveman won the title three times in 1999, 2001 and 2002. The Bruins' roster now touts four Pac-12 Batting Champions in Godin (2019), Aaliyah Jordan (2018) and Janelle Meoño (2021), who earned the honor at Arizona her redshirt freshman season.
Two Top 25 Finalists for Freshman of the Year
The Bruins also boast two of the top freshmen in the country in utility Megan Grant and first baseman Jordan Woolery. UCLA is one of just two teams (Duke) to have two players listed as Top 25 Finalists for TUCCI/NFCA Freshman of the Year. Rachel Garcia (2017) is the only Bruin to win the award in its nine-year history. Grant and Woolery are each having two of the most productive seasons ever by a UCLA freshman. They have combined for 99 RBI this season which is the most by a freshman duo in UCLA history, passing the previous mark of 90 RBI set in 1997 by Stacey Nuveman (71) and Courtney Dale (19).
A Trio of .400 Hitters
UCLA is one of just two teams among Power 5 programs to have three players on its roster batting above .400 this season (Oklahoma). Maya Brady (.456 AVG), Jordan Woolery (.409 AVG) and Kennedy Powell (.408 AVG) make up the impressive Bruin trio. UCLA has never had three players each bat .400+ in a single season.
MEGANTRON
Faraimo, who has hauled in four Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week awards this season, has picked up a win in each of her last 15 appearances in the circle. Earlier this season, she set a career-long scoreless inning streak of 35.2 innings that was snapped in game three against Arizona on April 16. The two-time NFCA All-American boasts a miniscule WHIP of 0.77 this season. She is on pace to become first Bruin hurler since Ally Carda in 2015 to win 30 games in a season. There have been a total of 10 30-win campaigns by seven UCLA pitchers in program history. The Oceanside, Calif. native picked up her 20th win of the season at Arizona on April 14, achieving the feat a full month earlier than she did in her 2022 campaign. Faraimo now has back-to-back 20-win, 200-strikeout seasons.
Brady in the Hunt for the Triple Crown
Brady, who leads the Pac-12 in batting average with a .456 clip, is three off the conference lead in home runs with 16 and runs batted in with 56. She trails Arizona State's Jordyn VanHook in HR (19) and Arizona's Allie Skaggs in RBI (59). There have been only three triple crown winners in conference history: Baylee Klingler (2022), Jenny Dalton (1995) and Stacey Nuveman (1999). The Pac-12 triple crown takes into account stats from the entire season.
Another Year of Pac-12 Pitching Domination
UCLA's pitching staff is dominating the conference once again, finishing the regular season ranked first in every meaningful pitching statistical category: wins (50), ERA (1.56), strikeouts (379), shutouts (20), opposing batting average (.187) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.12). UCLA has led the Pac-12 in ERA and wins in each of the last four seasons. In 2022, the Bruins' pitching staff led the Pac-12 in ERA (1.72), strikeouts (486), wins (51), opposing batting average (.180) and saves (12).
100 Dub Club
Faraimo became the fourth pitcher in UCLA history to record 100 wins in a career after picking up her second win of the day against San Diego State on May 5. She joins Keira Goerl (130 W), Anjelica Selden (110) and Ally Carda (100 W) in the 100 Dub Club.
Ooh, That's a Fresh Note
Megan Grant's 54 runs batted in and Jordan Woolery's 45 runs batted in have made UCLA freshman class history. They are the only true freshmen in Bruins' history to each have recorded at least 37+ RBI in a single season. Their 98 combined RBI are the most by a freshman duo in a single season in UCLA history. The 99 RBI are second behind Indiana's Taryn Kern and Avery Parker for the most by a freshman duo this season. Grant's 54 RBI rank second among freshmen in the nation, trailing only Kern (67).
Since softball was adopted by the NCAA, only four freshmen have led UCLA in runs batted in for a single season: Stephany LaRosa (2012, 61 RBI), Stacey Nuveman in (1997, 71 RBI), Janice Parks (1986, 19 RBI) and Chris Olivie (1985, 12 RBI).
Chef Serving Appetizers
In game three at Utah on April 30, Megan Grant belted her second lead-off home run of the season. The freshman phenom took over lead-off duties on April 2 versus No. 6 Stanford and has stayed in that roll ever since (19 games). Grant leads UCLA with 19 RBI, 47 total bases and 12 extra-base hits in that span.
Fresh Faces in the Heart of the Lineup
Grant and Woolery have been mainstays in the top 5 of UCLA's lineup since the beginning of conference play. They have each recorded a grand slam and multi-homer game this season. In 24 conference games, Woolery and Grant rank first and fifth in the Pac-12 in hits with 32 and 29, respectively. Brady is tied with Woolery for 32 hits as well.
Overall, Woolery's .409 batting average currently ranks fourth in UCLA freshman history, trailing Stacey Nuveman, Natasha Watley and her two teammates Aaliyah Jordan and Kelli Godin.
Some Love for the Bottom of the Lineup
One of the biggest reasons for Megan Grant and Maya Brady's production is that the bottom of the lineup has been consistently getting on base. Over UCLA's last 18 games, the Bruins' 7-8-9 batters are hitting a collective .340 batting average (50-for-147) and .449 on-base percentage (16 walks). They have scored 33 runs and knocked in 22 RBI.
Anna Vines and Janelle Meoño, two mainstays at the bottom of the lineup, have been on fire as of late. Meoño has hit 15-for-38 over UCLA's last 16 games. Most recently against San Diego State on May 5, Meoño recorded her first two extra-base hits of the season with a double and triple. In conference games, Anna Vines ranks third on the team with a .408 batting average (20-for-49).
Brady Joins Bates
Brady homered in each of UCLA's three games against Arizona (April 14-16) to stretch her streak to four straight games with a dinger. She is the first Bruin to accomplish that feat since B.B. Bates who homered five games in a row (Feb. 2013).
Big Cat Hunter
Brady has dominated in her 10 career games against UCLA rival Arizona. Lifetime against the Wildcats, Brady is batting for a .517 average (15-for-29) and 1.310 slugging percentage with six home runs, five doubles and 12 RBI.
200 Career Hits for Brady
Brady became the 35th player in UCLA history to record 200 hits in a career. She reached the milestone with a double to the right-center field wall in her first at-bat at BYU on May 1.
Continuing on the Note of Conference Domination
· Four UCLA players hit above .400 in its 24 conference games this season (Brady, Woolery, Vines and Grant).
· Megan Grant and Maya Brady led the Pac-12 with nine home runs in conference play.
· Megan Grant and Maya Brady ranked first and second in extra-base hits during conf. play with 16 and 12, respectively.
· Megan Grant and Maya Brady ranked first and second in slugging percentage in conf. play at .889 and .840, respectively.
· Megan Grant and Maya Brady led the Pac-12 with 26 RBI during conf. play.
Single-Season Records Watch for Brady
Maya Brady (.873 SLG) is on pace to have the best single-season slugging percentage by a Bruin since Megan Langenfeld when she set the UCLA record with a 1.085 mark in 2010. No Bruin has slugged over .900 since that season. Brady is four homers away from recording the first 20-homer season by a Bruin since Stephany LaRosa and Delaney Spaulding in 2015. Her .456 batting average currently ranks ninth best in a single season in UCLA history.
More Feathers in the Helmet for Brady
Maya Brady is one of just two players in the country hitting for a .450-plus batting average with at least 55 runs batted in and 15 home runs (Marshall's Autumn Owen is the other). Brady has three multi-homer games this season (San Diego - Feb. 12; Fresno State - March 3; Washington - March 19), stretching her career total to five. She joins a pantheon of Bruin sluggers, becoming just the seventh player in program history to record at least five multi-homer games in their career.
Approaching 1,000
Faraimo is 17 strikeouts away from becoming just the third player in UCLA history to record 1,000 strikeouts in a career. In the 1,000 K club are Anjelica Selden (1,441 SO; 2005-08) and Keira Goerl (1,095 SO; 2001-04).
Both Sides of the Ball
UCLA is one of just two Power 5 teams to rank top 10 in the country in batting average (2nd - .345) and earned run average (6th - 1.56). Oklahoma is the only other team, and it leads the nation in both categories.
The Queen is Back
Aaliyah Jordan has not skipped a beat since making her return following a year-long recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Jordan was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week for the second time in her career following her first home games in over a year against Stanford last week. She helped the Bruins to a top 10 sweep with a team-leading .571 batting average, two home runs, 1.429 slugging percentage, 10 total bases and three RBI.
Jordan is a two-time NFCA First Team All-American, three-time All-Pac-12 First Team selection and is one of four remaining members from UCLA's 2019 NCAA Championship squad.
Storybook Ending
Seventh Year Aaliyah Jordan hit a walk-off home run against San Diego State last week on May 5 in her final regular-season at-bat at Easton Stadium. It was the Bruins' first second walk-off homer this season.
200 Career RBI
With her two-run homer in game two against Stanford on April 1, Aaliyah Jordan became the sixth player in UCLA history to record 200 runs batted in for a career. Jordan, who has 211 career RBI, trails Tairia Mims Flowers and Stephany LaRosa for third on the all-time list. Jordan is also three doubles away from tying GiOnna DiSalvatore's program record of 65 career two-baggers.
Coach I vs. The Pac-12
Head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez owns a winning record against all eight Pac-12 opponents. Including postseason games, Inouye-Perez owns a record of 279-108 (.721) versus Pac-12 opponents. She has dominated in meetings with Arizona (42-13 record), Oregon State (40-7), Stanford (37-12) and Utah (30-6).
Just Get on the Board
UCLA is 28-0 when scoring in the first inning and is 42-0 when it scores first in games this season.
Back to Her Roots
Maya Brady has undertaken a new position this season as the Bruins' everyday shortstop following a left shoulder injury sustained by utility Seneca Curo. Brady grew up playing the position with her travel ball team OC Batbusters Stith.
Brady Shatters 24-Year-Old Record
Maya Brady broke a 24-year-old record during UCLA's Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament. Brady recorded 11 consecutive base hits across four games, breaking the mark of 10 consecutive hits formerly held by UCLA legends Lisa Fernandez (March 1993) and Stacey Nuveman (Feb. 1999). In total, Brady opened the first week of 2023 going 13-for-16 with 13 RBI and four home runs to earn her NFCA Player of the Week honors for the first time in her career.
More on the UCLA Freshmen, Because Why Not
Megan Grant saw her 24-game reached base streak come to an end on May 1 at BYU. Grant also had a 14-game hitting streak going earlier this season. Both marks are the longest by a Bruin this season.
Enter Sandwoman
Faraimo has been utilized in a reliever role frequently this season. Eleven of her 28 winning decisions have come in relief. The rise-ball pitcher has been nearly automatic with 15 wins in each of her last 15 appearances. Faraimo owns a 0.85 ERA with two shutouts and a 8.29 K/7 rate across that stretch.
Faraimo has thrown two no-hitters this season, improving her career total to seven solo no-hitters. Most recently, Faraimo no-hit No. 3 Florida on Feb. 23, marking the first time a Bruin pitcher no-hit a top 3 opponent since March 28, 2003, when Keira Goerl kept No. 2 Stanford out of the hit column. It was Faraimo's first no-no against a ranked opponent.
Solid Outings From Yanez
Left-handed pitcher Brooke Yanez has gone at least 4.0 innings in each of her last four starts. The spinning lefty has thrown 6.0 innings and allowed just one earned run in each of her last two Pac-12 starts.
Fours Up, Baby
UCLA's roster totes four of the last five Pac-12 Batting Champions in Aaliyah Jordan (2018), Kelli Godin (2019), Janelle Meoño (2021), and now, Maya Brady (.456). Jordan won the title with a .444 batting average (72 hits), Godin with a .426 average (46 hits) and Meoño with a .442 average (61 hits).
Postseason Success
UCLA advanced to the WCWS for the seventh year in a row in 2022, extending its longest active streak in the nation. The Bruins have appeared in the NCAA Tournament a record 37 total times, including 23 straight, and have missed out on just three occasions (last in 1998). UCLA is the winningest team in NCAA postseason history with a 233-64 (.785) record. Head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez has made an NCAA Regional appearance in each of her 16 seasons at the helm of the program.
Faraimo, Yanez Selected in Women's Pro Fast Pitch Draft
Faraimo and Yanez were selected in Monday's 2023 Women's Professional Fast Pitch Draft in Oklahoma City. Both pitchers were selected by the USSSA Pride with Faraimo being was chosen fourth overall in the first round and Yanez 12th overall in the third round. Faraimo and Yanez have the opportunity to join UCLA alumni Delanie Wisz (2020-22) and Delaney Spaulding (2014-17) on the squad. The two selections bring the Bruins' total number of WPF draftees to 35.
Faraimo Picked in Athletes Unlimited Draft
Faraim was selected No. 2 overall in Monday's 2023 Athletes Unlimited Draft. She is the third UCLA player to be drafted to play in the newly-created sports league, including Rachel Garcia and Bubba Nickles.
Inaugural Pac-12 Softball Tournament
Arizona's Hillenbrand Stadium will serve as the host site for the inaugural Pac-12 Softball Tournament, which is set to make its debut from May 10-13, 2023. The four-day event will begin with a play-in game between the eighth and ninth-place teams in the regular-season standings on Wednesday. That winner will advance to an eight-team, single-elimination bracket with the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship being contested on the following three days. The winner of the Pac-12 Softball Tournament will receive the Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Limited tickets are still available by visiting pac12.me/SBTix.
Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballUCLA Softball Postgame - Coach Inouye-Perez & Players, vs. Tennessee (June 1, 2025)
Sunday, June 01
UCLA Softball Postgame - Coach Inouye-Perez & Players, vs. Texas Tech (May 31, 2025)
Saturday, May 31
Highlights - UCLA Softball vs. Oregon (May 29, 2025)
Thursday, May 29
UCLA Softball Postgame - Coach Inouye-Perez & Players, vs. Oregon (May 29, 2025)
Thursday, May 29