Late hits and another solid performance for Rachel Garcia brought the UCLA softball team to a 4-0 win over Florida to open the Women’s College World Series.
Runner-up Bruins (47: 5) were goalless until the fifth inning on Thursday evening in Oklahoma City. Kinsley Washington got a single, then finished second due to a throwing error. Anna Vines (2 for 2, an RBI) signed up to break it in.
« It felt really good, » said Vines. “In all honesty, I was just thinking of my team trying to get the ball into play and Kinsley either to make third place or possibly to score. But I knew my teammates would have my back if it weren’t for me. ”
Vines was also the UCLA single in the third inning for the game’s first hit. It was her first base goal since May 22nd, during an NCAA regional game against Fresno state.
Delanie Wisz (1 for 3, an RBI) doubled up to hit pinch runner Lauryn Carter and UCLA 2 : To put 0 in the lead.
After Wisz’s double, FSU pitcher Danielle Watson came in relief for Kathryn Sandercock. Maya Brady (1 for 3, two RBIs) immediately hit a double homer into midfield.
It was her 14th home run of the season, and it came after she failed in her first two strokes of the game.
« Each of my hitters made an adjustment tonight, » said UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. “That’s why I’m really proud. … I think that’s one of our team’s strengths. You may fail at first, but then our ability to adapt and get better is great. «» Your will to win and your ego aside to do whatever it takes to win a ball game. We saw that literally one through nine, everyone made an adjustment tonight. Super proud. ”
Brady and Wisz are now tied with 14 for the team lead in the home runs.
Garcia set up a full game, gave up five hits and hit 11. She drew the side in the fourth inning back. Briana Perez assisted them in defense and had a dive catch to finish the game and keep the shutout. « When your defense makes these stellar games, you become a pitcher, » said Garcia. « It’s these moments that make this ending so special. »
Garcia, a US Olympic champion and two-time US softball player of the year, threw 80 of her 112 throws for strikes. Florida State put runners on second base in the second, third, fourth, and sixth innings. Even when it looked like things might unravel, Garcia was calm as always.
« It’s not exactly an aggravated situation for us, » she said. “I mean, I know my team is behind me.”
UCLA is advancing into the game against seeded number 3 Alabama (51-7) on Friday at 6:30 pm. PT. Florida State (44-11-1) move to the elimination round, where they face No. 11 seed Arizona (41-14).
Thursday’s game matched the last two national champions. Florida State won 2018 and UCLA 2019. Inouye-Perez said their players have refocused and got better.
« It allows you to play your best ball when you slow down and really find your feet deep take a deep breath and get started, « she said. “We took a lot of it tonight. We had to slow it down, make sure we got to the next pitch because it was a little frustrating how we got out. They came out and did their game plan and we didn’t. ”Articles related to the topic
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Sandercock threw 5-2 / 3 innings for Florida State, recorded six strikeouts, and scored five hits and three runs. Watson gave up two hits and one run in a third of an inning. « She played a fantastic game today, » said Sherrill. “A couple of lucky hits here and there. That was the difference. But it struck amazingly. Props to them. She’s an amazing thrower. «
» I mean, I think about the record we fought against, « said Sherrill. “We had some really good at-bats in our line-up. Like I said, we got the hits but we just didn’t put them together, which is sometimes the game. It stinks. «
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