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NCAA Softball: UCLA Bruins make early case for 114th title

By Ashley Tellier

Mar 5, 2017; Fullerton, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins utility player Madeline Jelenicki (88) hits a three-run home run against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Anderson Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2017; Fullerton, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins utility player Madeline Jelenicki (88) hits a three-run home run against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Anderson Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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UCLA Softball has the potential to bring home another NCAA title, putting the UCLA Bruins back on top as the school with most collegiate titles.

Just last week Stanford Athletics made the news by getting its 113th NCAA title, tying the UCLA Bruins at the top for schools with most titles.

This led to some concern in the Bruin community given that UCLA has been using its #1 place as a marketing tool for about a decade now.

No, really, there’s even an ad about it, featuring none other than Coach John Wooden:

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Now that we are sharing the same number of titles at the top, can we still claim champions are made in Westwood? Sure, for now. But Stanford’s rise is certainly a wake-up call.

Stanford has won 11 titles in the last five years while UCLA has only won 5. The Cardinal has actually won 4 titles in the current academic year alone. There is no doubt the Cardinal is thirsty while the Bruins are stagnating at best.

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UCLA Softball has an opportunity to break the tie and put UCLA back in the no. 1 spot. The Bruins’ title hopes increased yesterday as UCLA advanced to the Super Regionals after defeating Cal State Fullerton 9-1.

UCLA will host #10 Ole Miss next, and if the Bruins win, they will punch a ticket to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. The road to the NCAA title won’t be easy for the Bruins, but this team has potential.

Although the Bruins’ 45-13 record might not seem as impressive as that of other teams in the Supers, UCLA made several changes around mid season that seem to be paying off. In fact, UCLA only lost 1 of its last 14 regular reason games. This includes sweeps against California, Stanford (!), Arizona State, and beating #2 Arizona twice in the three game series.

The Bruins’ showing in the NCAA Los Angeles Regional was equally impressive. UCLA blanked Lehigh 8-0 in five innings, including a Rachel Garcia no-hitter. This was followed by a 10-2 win against San Jose State in six innings. And finally, last night’s win against Fullerton.

There are, of course, some areas of concern. UCLA Softball is over-relying on freshman pitcher Garcia. And while the Bruins chase the next title, so do the Cardinal. The Stanford Women’s Golf team has a good chance to bring the Palo Alto school ahead. Minor detail.

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But if the Bruins’ power hitting continues (UCLA has 10 home runs in the last three games!) and someone slows Stanford down, UCLA Softball can be the team to bring the 114th championship home, putting the Bruins at the top again. No pressure.