Rally Helps Put UCLA Back in World Series

It may be a rebuilding season for UCLA, with only one senior, but the Bruins will get a chance to win a 12th national title in softball.

After coming from four runs down to beat Georgia, 5-4, in the first game on Saturday to tie the best-of-three super-regional at UCLA at 1-1, the Bruins beat Georgia in the late game, 3-2, to win the series.

After a one-out walk to Tara Henry, UCLA (36-18) rallied with consecutive singles by Caitlin Benyi, Emily Zaplatosch, Jodie Legaspi and Kristen Dedmon. A bouncer to new pitcher Katie Griffith was thrown away on an attempted force play at home for the final run of the inning.

In the process, UCLA also knocked Georgia starter Michelle Green (27-4) out of the game for the second consecutive game. She lasted 2 2/3 innings in Game 2, giving up three runs after being staked to a 4-0 lead in the second inning.

Pitcher Anjelica Seldon (25-12) had eight of her nine strikeouts over the last five innings of the second game, and had four strikeouts in the first three innings of the third game before allowing a two-run homer to Kim Wendland in the fourth.

UCLA will be in the World Series in Oklahoma City for the seventh consecutive year. The first-round opponent will be California. Georgia finishes 55-15.

In UCLA’s victory in the earlier game, two little-used players had a huge impact as UCLA scored twice in the sixth inning and forced the third game.

Pinch-runner Danesha Adams, running for Krista Colburn after her second of three hits, was on second base when she bolted for third on a ground ball to the shortstop.

But shortstop Katie Vickers’ throw to third base hit sliding Adams in the hip. The ball rolled to the fence and Adams scored to make it 4-4.

Ashley Herrera, the No. 9 hitter, took second base on the play, and she scored when pinch-hitter Danielle Peterson doubled to left-center field for a 5-4 lead. It was Peterson’s second hit of the season in nine at-bats.

Seldon, who gave up four hits and four earned runs in the second inning, gave up three hits over the final five innings.