UCLA advances to Women’s College World Series with 1-0 defeat of Mississippi

With their aces having combined for 423 pitches the previous night, UCLA and Mississippi turned to their No. 2 pitchers in the second game of their NCAA softball tournament super regional.

Of course, it was going to be hard to keep Bruins star right-hander Rachel Garcia on the bench if her team faced a troublesome spot. That’s exactly what happened in the fourth inning Friday night at Easton Stadium, when the Rebels put runners on first and second with nobody out.

Enter Garcia. She retired the next three hitters as part of her four scoreless innings of relief, combining with starter Selina Ta’amilo on a three-hit shutout that propelled UCLA to a 1-0 victory that allowed the Bruins to advance to the Women’s College World Series for a third consecutive year.

The Bruins (47-13) will face either Florida State or Louisiana State in their opening game Thursday in Oklahoma City after having gone 5-0 in the postseason.

Garcia (22-7) and Ta’amilo escaped every jam they faced, holding Mississippi to 0 for 15 with runners on base and 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position. The Rebels stranded seven runners.

“I don’t feel any pressure when runners are on,” said Ta’amilo, who gave up three hits and two walks over three innings. “I know my defense has my back, I just have to find my spots and they’ll make those plays.”

UCLA had only two opportunities with runners in scoring position but converted one in the first inning after Brianna Tautalafua doubled to left field on a full count and Madeline Jelenicki followed with a two-out infield single that scored Tautalafua.

“Just wanted to get something going for our team,” Jelenicki said, “and you only need one when you make plays and have solid pitching.”

Mississippi right-hander Brittany Finney (6-1) threw the first postseason pitches for the Rebels not handled by Kaitlin Lee, who had logged 191 pitches Thursday night during the Rebels’ epic loss in 11 innings.

Finney was masterful, giving up only four hits and one run over seven innings with five strikeouts.

Garcia said she was able to compete 24 hours after throwing 232 pitches with the help of an ice bath.

“Woke up this morning feeling better than ever,” said Garcia, who had five strikeouts and one walk against the Rebels (43-20) on Friday.

She probably went to bed on a new high after getting out of the two-on, none-out jam in the fourth. After a sacrifice bunt moved up the runners to second and third bases, Garcia got Paige McKinney to fly out to left field and struck out pinch-hitter Dylinn Stancil to end the inning.

“The word of tonight was poise,” UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. “There have been moments that we’ve had several Bruin teams throughout the history of this program where those moments get big and what makes or breaks it and what defines that championship level team is how you manage that situation. If you looked around, you could feel it. There’s a great deal of confidence.”

ben.bolch@latimes.com

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