Aleena Garcia runs off the field after making a play at shortstopAleena Garcia runs off the field after making a play at shortstop

Aleena Garcia (photo: Jesus Ramirez)

Softball Announces 2027 Big Ten Schedule

Softball

The Bruins will play eight three-game series, with four at home and four on the road.

LOS ANGELES – The UCLA softball team announced its Big Ten Conference schedule for the upcoming 2027 season on Tuesday.

The Bruins, entering their third season in the Big Ten, will play eight three-game series, with four at home and four on the road. UCLA opens conference play by hosting Penn State from March 12-14 at Easton Stadium. The Bruins’ three other home series are against Iowa (March 19-21), Washington (April 16-18) and Maryland (April 30-May 2).

UCLA’s road conference series are at Northwestern (March 26-28), Oregon (April 9-11), Purdue (April 23-25) and Minnesota (May 7-9). The Bruins will make their first trips to Northwestern and Minnesota and their second trip to Purdue, where they competed in the 2025 Big Ten Tournament at Bittinger Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.

The 2027 Big Ten Softball Tournament will be held at Bowlin Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., from May 12-15. UCLA has appeared in the championship game in each of its first two seasons in the conference and finished second and third in the Big Ten regular-season standings, respectively.

UCLA is coming off its third straight Women’s College World Series appearance, the longest active streak of any Big Ten program. The Bruins recorded 50-plus wins for the 21st time in program history in 2026 and set NCAA records in multiple offensive categories, including runs scored (672), home runs (209) and slugging percentage (.825).

Returning from last season’s record-breaking roster are shortstop Aleena Garcia and infielder Bri Alejandre, who each hit more than 20 home runs. NFCA Third Team All-American Rylee Slimp and All-Big Ten Second Team honoree Kaniya Bragg also return to Westwood for their junior seasons.

UCLA added two pitchers through the transfer portal in the offseason with right-hander Cambria Salmon (Texas) and left-hander Meika Lauppe (Arizona State). Salmon arrives at UCLA after helping Texas capture back-to-back NCAA championships in 2025 and 2026. Lauppe ranked second on Arizona State’s pitching staff in innings pitched in each of the last two seasons.

UCLA softball’s full 2027 schedule, as well as ticketing information, will be announced at a later date.