University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
L-r: Megan Grant, Taylor Tinsley and Jordan Woolery
Photo by: Don Liebig/ASUCLA
Bruin Softball Trio Named B1G Players to Watch
January 30, 2026 | Softball
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Utility Megan Grant, pitcher Taylor Tinsley and infielder Jordan Woolery on the No. 7-ranked UCLA softball team were named to the 2026 Big Ten Players to Watch List, the conference office announced on Thursday.
All 17 Big Ten softball programs had three players selected to the Watch List. The Bruins enter their second season in the bi-coastal conference after finishing second in the last season's standings with a 17-5 record and runner-up in the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
The announcement concludes a myriad of preseason honors received by the senior trio. Grant, Tinsley and Woolery were all named to the prestigious USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List. Grant and Woolery have each been named to the Watch List three times in their career while this marked the second for Tinsley.
Media outlets Softball America and D1Softball both tabbed the three players as Preseason All-Americans, with Grant and Woolery being listed to the first team on both websites. Tinsley was honored as a first team selection by Softball America and second team by D1Softball.
Grant, Tinsley and Woolery were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Americans last season, with Grant and Woolery earning first team honors and Tinsley on the third team. Grant and Woolery combined for 167 runs batted in – the most-ever by a UCLA duo – and 49 home runs, which was good for second among all duos in the country for 2025. Grant's 26 home runs broke the Big Ten single-season record and were second in UCLA's record book. Woolery registered career-bests across the board with a .424 batting average, 23 home runs and 86 RBIs, and delivered the Bruins' most epic moment of the year with a walk-off, three-run homer in Game 2 of the NCAA Columbia Super Regional.
Tinsley was one of three Bruin arms to log 100.0-plus innings in 2025. She posted a 15-6 record and led the staff with a 2.44 ERA over 137.2 innings. Tinsley was extremely efficient, ranking fourth in the nation with a 6.63 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 11th with a 0.95 WHIP.
Ticket Information
UCLA opens the 2026 season at Easton Stadium on Friday, Feb. 6 with two games versus UC Santa Barbara (4 p.m.) and Northern Colorado (6:30 p.m.). Single-game home tickets are now available to purchase at this LINK. Additionally, fans with a 2025-26 Olympic Sports Card, available to purchase for $110, will gain admission to every home game.
The next opportunity to watch UCLA play at Easton Stadium after the Tournament will not be until March 6, when the Bruins' open Big Ten play for their second season in the conference.
Preseason Recognition Recap
USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List
M. Grant
T. Tinsley
J. Woolery
Softball America Preseason All-Americans
M. Grant – First Team
T. Tinsley – First Team
J. Woolery – First Team
D1Softball Preseason All-Americans
M. Grant – First Team
J. Woolery – First Team
T. Tinsley – Second Team
Big Ten Players to Watch List
M. Grant
T. Tinsley
J. Woolery
Preseason Polls
NFCA – No. 7
USA Softball/ESPN.com – No. 10
Softball America – No. 8
D1Softball – No. 10
All 17 Big Ten softball programs had three players selected to the Watch List. The Bruins enter their second season in the bi-coastal conference after finishing second in the last season's standings with a 17-5 record and runner-up in the Big Ten Conference Tournament.
The announcement concludes a myriad of preseason honors received by the senior trio. Grant, Tinsley and Woolery were all named to the prestigious USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List. Grant and Woolery have each been named to the Watch List three times in their career while this marked the second for Tinsley.
Media outlets Softball America and D1Softball both tabbed the three players as Preseason All-Americans, with Grant and Woolery being listed to the first team on both websites. Tinsley was honored as a first team selection by Softball America and second team by D1Softball.
Grant, Tinsley and Woolery were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Americans last season, with Grant and Woolery earning first team honors and Tinsley on the third team. Grant and Woolery combined for 167 runs batted in – the most-ever by a UCLA duo – and 49 home runs, which was good for second among all duos in the country for 2025. Grant's 26 home runs broke the Big Ten single-season record and were second in UCLA's record book. Woolery registered career-bests across the board with a .424 batting average, 23 home runs and 86 RBIs, and delivered the Bruins' most epic moment of the year with a walk-off, three-run homer in Game 2 of the NCAA Columbia Super Regional.
Tinsley was one of three Bruin arms to log 100.0-plus innings in 2025. She posted a 15-6 record and led the staff with a 2.44 ERA over 137.2 innings. Tinsley was extremely efficient, ranking fourth in the nation with a 6.63 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 11th with a 0.95 WHIP.
Ticket Information
UCLA opens the 2026 season at Easton Stadium on Friday, Feb. 6 with two games versus UC Santa Barbara (4 p.m.) and Northern Colorado (6:30 p.m.). Single-game home tickets are now available to purchase at this LINK. Additionally, fans with a 2025-26 Olympic Sports Card, available to purchase for $110, will gain admission to every home game.
The next opportunity to watch UCLA play at Easton Stadium after the Tournament will not be until March 6, when the Bruins' open Big Ten play for their second season in the conference.
Preseason Recognition Recap
USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List
M. Grant
T. Tinsley
J. Woolery
Softball America Preseason All-Americans
M. Grant – First Team
T. Tinsley – First Team
J. Woolery – First Team
D1Softball Preseason All-Americans
M. Grant – First Team
J. Woolery – First Team
T. Tinsley – Second Team
Big Ten Players to Watch List
M. Grant
T. Tinsley
J. Woolery
Preseason Polls
NFCA – No. 7
USA Softball/ESPN.com – No. 10
Softball America – No. 8
D1Softball – No. 10
Players Mentioned
UCLA 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