UCLA softball out muscles LMU with six home runs
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No. 6 UCLA softball forced a 9-1 run rule in five innings against LMU in their matchup at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Freshman pitcher Natalie Cable led the Bruins from the mound as UCLA's only pitcher throughout the five-inning affair with three hits, four walks, a run, and three strikeouts against 22 batters for an earned run average of 6.68. Cable prevented any of the Lions' batters from getting on base until the third and allowed a single hit in each of the final three innings.
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The Bruins found much more success at the plate with three home runs in the bottom of the first, putting UCLA in a prime position in the game. The home run success would continue for the Bruins into the bottom of the second as sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp would blast the Bruins' fourth homer of the day to right field to put UCLA up 4-0 heading into the third.
The Lions got their first base hit of the day in the top of the third, but the Bruins continued to let the bats ignite sparks. Sophomore infielder Kaniya Bragg hit her second home run of the day, and UCLA followed it up with a three-run homer to add four more runs to the Bruins' monstrous lead.
LMU was able to stop the damage for a bit by getting senior infielder Jordan Woolery out on a lineout to second base and preventing one of the Big Ten's best hitters from getting a grand slam. The Lions also slowed down the chasm the Bruins were creating on the scoreboard by holding UCLA scoreless in the fourth.
Cable allowed her first run of the day in the top of the fifth and swiftly closed the inning out as the bases were loaded to prevent the Lions from having a chance at a comeback. UCLA continued that sentiment at bat with one more run in the bottom of the fifth to initiate the run rule.
UCLA will defend East Stadium again on Friday, March 13, against Michigan State at 7 p.m. PT to start its second Big Ten series of the season.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: UCLA softball defeated LMU in 9-1 outing with six home runs