{"id":318884,"date":"2026-05-16T13:57:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-16T13:57:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/318884\/"},"modified":"2026-05-16T13:57:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T13:57:28","slug":"ucla-softball-rallies-past-california-baptist-in-wild-ncaa-regional-opener-daily-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/318884\/","title":{"rendered":"UCLA softball rallies past California Baptist in wild NCAA regional opener \u2013 Daily News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"UCLA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Rylee Slimp slides home to score the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly hit by Aleena Garcia during the bottom of the seventh inning of their NCAA regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA pitcher Taylor Tinsley throws to the plate during their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Rylee Slimp catches a fly ball for an out during their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"California<\/p>\n

California Baptist pitcher Miranda De Nava throws to the plate during their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against UCLA on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Jordan Woolery launches a two-run home run to give the Bruins an early lead against California Baptist in the first inning of their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Jordan Woolery (15) celebrates with her teammates at home plate after hitting a two-run homer during the first inning of their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Aleena Garcia fields a ground ball during their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Aleena Garcia throws to first base after fielding a ground ball during their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"California<\/p>\n

California Baptist\u2019s Victoria Macias celebrates after hitting a home run during the second inning of their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against UCLA on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Alexis Ramirez, left, leaps back toward second base to avoid a double play by California Baptist\u2019s Kenzie Farrier-Pilon, right, during their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA pitcher Taylor Tinsley throws to the plate during their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA outfielders Jolyna Lamar, left, and Megan Grant scramble for the ball as it bounces off the outfield fence during their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"California<\/p>\n

California Baptist\u2019s Makayla Medellin, left, races around third base before scoring a run during the fifth inning of their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against UCLA on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. CBU scored 10 runs in the fifth inning, but UCLA rallied for a 12-11 walk-off win. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"Players<\/p>\n

Players in the California Baptist dugout celebrate during their 10-run fifth inning in an NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against UCLA on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA starting pitcher Taylor Tinsley walks off the field after being removed during the fifth inning of their NCAA Los Angeles Regional opener against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA relief pitcher Brynne Nally throws to the plate during their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Bri Alejandre, left, tries to avoid being tagged by California Baptist\u2019s Kenzie Farrier-Pilon during their NCAA Los Angeles Regional opener on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Soo-Jin Berry tries to rally the Bruins after reaching first base during their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Jolyna Lamar (7) celebrates as she runs down the third base line after hitting a game-tying two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning of their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Rylee Slimp, center left, celebrates alongside Aleena Garcia (21) after scoring the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly hit by Garcia in the bottom of the seventh inning of their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. UCLA rallied to win, 12-11. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA softball players celebrate after rallying to defeat California Baptist, 12-11, in a first-round game of the NCAA Los Angeles Regional on Friday night at Easton Stadium. CBU took the lead with a 10-run fifth inning, but the Bruins rallied for a walk-off win. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA<\/p>\n

UCLA softball players huddle together before their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"UCLA\u00e2\u0080\u0099s<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Laci Lopez is introduced before the Bruins\u2019 NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"California<\/p>\n

California Baptist\u2019s Kenzie Farrier-Pilon walks out of the dugout before their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against UCLA on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

\"California<\/p>\n

California Baptist players warm up before their NCAA Los Angeles Regional game against UCLA on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 25<\/p>\n

UCLA\u2019s Rylee Slimp slides home to score the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly hit by Aleena Garcia during the bottom of the seventh inning of their NCAA regional game against California Baptist on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Easton Stadium. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

LOS ANGELES \u2014 The UCLA softball team withstood a 10-run inning by California Baptist to walk away with a thrilling, 12-11 comeback win on Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Los Angeles Regional.<\/p>\n

Aleena Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to right field in the bottom of the seventh inning and CBU outfielder Stevie Robison overthrew to home plate, allowing leadoff hitter Rylee Slimp to score for a walk-off win.<\/p>\n

\u201cBruin magic is real,\u201d UCLA head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. \u201cAnd when we get everybody going in the right direction \u2013 they were all telling me we will win.\u201d<\/p>\n

UCLA (48-8) is in its 27th straight NCAA Tournament and will play South Carolina (31-26) on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Game 3 of the regional. CBU (43-18) will face Cal State Fullerton (40-14) in an elimination game at 4:30 p.m., with the winner of that game then facing the UCLA-South Carolina loser in another elimination game at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

Four different Bruins homered on Friday night in a game that lasted just over 3 hours at Easton Stadium, including Big Ten Player of the Year Jordan Woolery (3 for 4, 2 RBIs).<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a gauntlet,\u201d CBU head coach Brandon Telesco said. \u201cOne through nine, off the bench, it\u2019s unbelievable. They\u2019re just relentless. They take pitches. You look at some of the best hitters in the game \u2013 Grant\u2019s taking walks, not chasing. For us, it\u2019s difficult to pitch to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Woolery hit her 34th home run of the season in the bottom of the first inning to give UCLA a 2-0 win. She drove in Megan Grant, who was walked four times in the game, with her bomb over the right-center field wall.<\/p>\n

The Lancers got on the board with a homer of their own in the top of the second when Victoria Macias hit a solo shot to center field.<\/p>\n

Grant faced 10 pitches in a single at-bat in the bottom of the third and hit five foul balls before ultimately drawing a walk. Woolery singled to left field and moved her to second base, setting up Garcia for a three-run home run.<\/p>\n

Two at-bats later, Soo-Jin Berry launched a two-run homer over the right field wall to score Kaniya Bragg and extend the lead to 6-1.<\/p>\n

CBU repeatedly loaded the bases in the top of the fifth to drive in 10 runs, adding drama to the Lancers\u2019 first appearance in the tournament since becoming a Division I program in 2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe love each other so much and with the confidence we have and when our defense and bats get rolling, we know we can do anything,\u201d junior Victoria Macias said.<\/p>\n

Pinch hitter Kimberly Westover and Kenzie Farrier-Pilon both hit RBI singles to start the rally before Malachy Russell-Millen scored on a throwing error by Tinsley.<\/p>\n

Ashlee Annett launched a three-run double to left-center field to give the Lancers their first lead of the night and Macias followed with a home run to left field.<\/p>\n

The big hit prompted a pitching change, and the Bruins brought in sophomore Brynne Nally (5-1) to replace their ace, Taylor Tinsley.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuper proud moment for Brynne to be able to come in and for her to have Taylor\u2019s back, which I think was a really big moment for us,\u201d Inouye-Perez said.<\/p>\n

Inouye-Perez said she had not decided who would pitch on Saturday as of Friday night.<\/p>\n

Nally gave up a solo home run to Sydney Peterson, then Robison singled on her second at-bat of the inning. She settled in, however, and the UCLA defense forced Jordyn Madrigal to line out and Russell-Millen to strike out to end the inning.<\/p>\n

The Bruins loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth but couldn\u2019t put any runs on the board. The defense stepped up once again and induced three groundouts to hold off the Lancers in the top of the next frame.<\/p>\n

UCLA scored five runs in the final two innings to complete its comeback.<\/p>\n

The offense scratched out two of those runs in the bottom of the sixth. Slimp was walked, Woolery doubled down the left field line and Garcia was walked to load the bases. Bri Alejandre reached base on a fielder\u2019s choice to score Slimp and Bragg hit an RBI single, which cut CBU\u2019s lead to 11-8.<\/p>\n

Jolyna Lamar hit a two-run home run in the final inning to tie the score and give Slimp the chance to score the game-winning run.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"UCLA\u2019s Rylee Slimp slides home to score the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly hit by Aleena Garcia…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":318885,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[7,9,8,1327,127,10992],"class_list":["post-318884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-california","tag-california","tag-california-headlines","tag-california-news","tag-college-sports","tag-sports","tag-ucla-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/318884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=318884"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/318884\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/318885"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=318884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=318884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=318884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}