UCLA Struggles but Still Prevails

UCLA softball Coach Sue Enquist says the first game of the Women’s College World Series is the toughest because it is often unpredictable.

She couldn’t have done a better job predicting that.

The Bruins cashed in on two Alabama errors and got a key insurance home run by second baseman Lyndsey Klein to rally for a 4-1 victory Thursday at Don Porter Hall of Fame Stadium.

UCLA (44-11-1) won its eighth consecutive game and will face top-seeded Washington in a winners’ bracket game today at 4 p.m. PDT. Alabama (65-13) will play DePaul in an elimination game Saturday.

The eight-time champion Bruins do feel fortunate. They made three errors--one more than in their last four games combined--and they trailed, 1-0, in the fifth inning.

“We cannot play the defense that we played today and win,” Enquist said. “We cracked the door for Alabama.”

Klein atoned for her miscue when she drilled a two-run homer over the left-field fence. It was her 10th home run this season and second in two games.

Senior pitcher Courtney Blades threw a perfect game and fanned 11 to lead Southern Mississippi (62-11) to a 1-0 victory over Arizona (57-8).

Christy Ring’s two-out single in the seventh inning off center fielder Amber Phillips’ glove gave Oklahoma (63-8) a 2-1 victory over California (49-24).