UCLA softball falls apart in the seventh against Oregon series opener

TL;DR

UCLA softball lost 8-2 to Oregon in their series opener, marking their third Big Ten Conference defeat. The Bruins struggled offensively with only seven hits, while Oregon's pitching dominated the game.

Key points

UCLA softball lost 8-2 to Oregon
This was UCLA's third Big Ten Conference loss
UCLA had only seven hits in the game
Taylor Tinsley allowed 13 hits as the starting pitcher

UCLA BruinsOregon DucksBig Ten Conference

No. 5 UCLA softball lost their third Big Ten Conference game with their 8-2 loss in the series opener against No. 11 Oregon at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. on Friday.

The Bruins previous two conference losses both came at the hands of the No. 3 Nebraska Cornhuskers at the end of March. Against Oregon, UCLA's batters struggled to put pressure on the Ducks pitching staff with just seven hits throughout the game, while the Bruins senior right-handed pitcher Taylor Tinsley allowed 13 hits.

Starting off right

UCLA started off hot with sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp crossing home plate in the bottom of the first for the first run of the game.

Missed opportunities

Both teams missed out on plenty of opportunities to add runs in the next few innings. Oregon had two runners on base in the top of the third and the bases loaded in the top of the fourth. The Ducks were unable to get on the scoreboard either time.

UCLA was in a similar predicament, with the bases loaded off of two hits in the bottom of the third, but they couldn't get any of the runners home. The Bruins carried their 1-0 lead into the fifth.

Fifth inning action

The Ducks were able to take the lead in the top of the fifth by blasting two home runs and putting Tinsley and the Bruins on notice. UCLA's batters responded in the bottom of the fifth with freshman utility Jolyna Lamar beginning their half of the inning with a home run to right field and tying the game at 2-2.