UCLA Softball Blasts Washington in Seattle with Third Inning Explosion

UCLA's No. 7 softball team just walked out of Husky Softball Stadium with their second straight win over Washington, and it wasn't even close. The Bruins dominated the No. 22 Huskies 7-2 on Saturday, and honestly, the game was decided the moment the third inning started. This is back-to-back Ws for UCLA against UW, and unlike the first matchup, Washington never had a shot at a comeback.

Washington Gets On the Board First

The Huskies came out swinging with an early lead. A double in the bottom of the first inning scored a runner and put Washington up 1-0. For a second, it looked like this could be a battle. Then UCLA remembered who they are.

Redshirt freshman infielder Aleena Garcia answered right back in the top of the second with a two-run homer to put the Bruins ahead 2-1. But Washington wasn't done yet. The Huskies knocked out a homer of their own in the bottom of the second to tie things up at 2-2 heading into the third.

UCLA Turns It On

That's when UCLA put on a clinic. In the top of the third inning, sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp and senior outfielder Jordan Woolery both went yard with back-to-back home runs. Then the Bruins really took over. With the bases loaded, a Washington fielding error allowed two more UCLA runners to score, stretching the lead to 6-2. The game was over. UCLA's offense had completely taken over.

Shutdown Defense and a Finishing Blow

Both teams got runners on base in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, but the defense tightened up and neither team could push another run across. UCLA's senior utility player Megan Grant made sure there was no doubt, blasting a home run deep into center field in the seventh to make it 7-2. Washington managed a single in the bottom of the seventh, but that was all she wrote.

UCLA shuts down the Huskies on the mound too, with the Bruins pitching staff holding Washington scoreless over the final five innings. The Bruins are going for the series sweep with game three set for 1 p.m. PT on Sunday.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.