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UCLA Softball wins big in first game of Women’s College World Series

By Mike Regalado

BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: The Bruins flag flies as the UCLA Bruins score a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 29, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. UCLA defeated Colorado 42-14. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: The Bruins flag flies as the UCLA Bruins score a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on September 29, 2012 in Boulder, Colorado. UCLA defeated Colorado 42-14. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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In their first game of the Women’s College World Series, the UCLA softball team blasts their way to a 7-2 win over Minnesota and move on to play Pac-12 foe Arizona.

The no. 2 UCLA softball team is making a statement. They are entering the Women’s College World Series determined to go further than they did last year.

RELATED: UCLA Softball’s 3-Pitcher Rotation Will Help them in the WCWS

In 2018, the Bruins had won their first two games of the WCWS, but fell in the next two, mostly due to a lack of pitching depth.

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This year, with Megan Faraimo, Holly Azevedo and Rachel Garcia (the back-to-back USA Player of the Year) in the mix, the Bruins have a lot to offer in the pitching department, but it was UCLA’s hitters that had a field day on Thursday.

Gracia was tabbed to make a start in their first game, and she did not disappoint. The Bruins’ ace only allowed four hits, struck out seven and limited no. 7 Minnesota to two runs (both of which came late in the game). By the time the Gophers got on the board in the fifth inning, they had made it close, but the Bruins still hung onto a 3-2, but things were just getting started for UCLA.

The Bruins had control on offense from the beginning of the game. Bubba Nickles made her presence felt early as her solo blast in the first inning set the tone for UCLA. The Bruins had scored one run in the next two innings, taking a 3-0 lead. After Minnesota’s two runs in the top of the fifth, the Bruins topped that with four in the bottom frame.

Nickles added another run to her total as she scored on an error to make it 4-2, but the Bruins lunged ahead when Aaliyah Jordan smashed a three-run homer to give the Bruins the 7-2 lead and eventually the win. With the UCLA pitchers and betters evenly balancing out their attack, the Gophers had no answer as they fall into the losers bracket.

UCLA continues its journey today at 4 p.m. PT as they take on Pac-12 rival no. 3 Arizona (who took down no. 2 Washington on Thursday).