UCLA looks to keep rolling at Women’s College World Series
UCLA’s Gabrielle Maurice watches the flight of her solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the score against Oregon in the second game of their super regional series on Sunday.
After riding a three-day high, the UCLA softball team was firmly grounded Wednesday.
The Bruins earned a second-consecutive trip to the Women’s College World Series after defeating Oregon in a come-from-behind three-game series last weekend. They will face Auburn, of the Southeastern Conference, in an opener Thursday.
Auburn (54-10) eliminated the Bruins in an extra-inning thriller last season, but UCLA Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said her team’s confidence was at an all-time high since they ousted Oregon.
“Just being able to win the super regional the way that we did, it didn’t matter who we would play,” Inouye-Perez said after an hour-long practice that was forced indoors as storms rolled over ASA Hall of Fame Stadium. “Every team is playing their best ball right now, so the key is can you continue to play your style of play, no matter who you are playing?”
Prior to the practice session, Bruins players learned via text messages and social media that a shooting occurred 1,300 miles away on UCLA’s campus. Inouye-Perez said players were obviously shaken.
“The girls were affected as far as hearing from people that were on lockdown on campus, so that’s always emotional and can be traumatic,” she said, adding that the team was later informed that no one in their immediate circle was involved in what the LAPD confirmed was a murder-suicide.
Through the first month of the season an appearance in the World Series seemed improbable for a Bruins’ program that has won 11 NCAA titles.
Sophomore pitchers Selina Ta’amilo and Johanna Grauer struggled and their earned-run average soared in four consecutive losses, three of which were against Oklahoma, Michigan and Florida State, who also advanced into the eight-team tournament.
But the team rallied behind the young duo and committed to playing better defense. The Bruins (40-14-1), seeded 12th in the 64-team tournament, lead the nation in double plays.
“We are a completely different team from the start of the season to the end and it’s a big part of our fight and our grit,” Inouye-Perez said, adding “our pitchers are pitching the best that they’ve pitched all year.”
Inouye-Perez said it would take a high-powered offensive effort to defeat fourth-seeded Auburn.
“The most important part is that the top part of my lineup has been very, very solid,” she said.
Three players have reached double-digits in home runs: Delaney Spauding (17), Mysha Sataraka (13) and Madeline Jelenicki (13).
Sataraka, named a second-team All-American, said the team was happy to make the World Series, but wanted to leave with a championship.
“To face the first opponent Auburn, obviously a very talented team as well, we are just going to go in and play our game and play how we know how to play,” Sataraka said.
Follow Lindsey Thiry on Facebook and Twitter @LindseyThiry
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