UCLA softball cage the Nittany Lions to get to Big Ten semifinals

UCLA softball was ranked No. 3 in the Big Ten Tournament and they proved as much against No. 11 Penn State in a 6-1 blowout at the Maryland Softball Stadium on Thursday, May 7 for the Big Ten Quarterfinals.

The Bruins did not play the Nittany Lions throughout the regular season, but they gained the upper-hand early and pinpoint pitching by senior right-handed pitcher Taylor Tinsley gave UCLA plenty of opportunity to shutdown any momentum Penn State accrued. Tinsley ended the game playing all seven innings and allowing five hits and five walks for a run with nine strikeouts.

Explosive first

Tinsley allowed a single and a double in the top of the first, but didn't allow any runner to get past third base. UCLA took advantage of their defensive team holding Penn State scoreless in the first with three home runs. Senior utility Megan Grant hit the first hom run. Shortly after, redshirt freshman infielder Aleena Garcia struck a two-run homer ahead of freshman infielder Bri Alejandre's home run to put UCLA up by four.

Cooling off in the second

In the top of the second, Tinsley held the Nittany Lions off the bases after allowing a walk. A double and two walks had UCLA set up in the bottom of the second, but the Bruins couldn't get anyone home despite the bases being loaded.

Two more in the third

Tinsley cleaned up a walk in the top of the third with a double play following a strikeout. This time, UCLA's batters took the opportunities they were given as redshirt junior center fielder Alexis Ramirez sending a homer to center field to start the bottom of the third. Junior utility Soo-Jin Berry followed it up with a double and freshman utility Jolyna Lamar sent Berry home with a triple.

Can they get a run-rule?

UCLA's defensive unit refused to give up a run in the fourth and fifth, which set the Bruins up for a chance to get a run-rule to begin their Big Ten Tournament run.