The No. 8 seeded UCLA softball team took down South Carolina in a 15-1 beatdown at Easton Stadium for the Los Angeles Regionals Final on Sunday.
The Bruins had previously played the Gamecocks in Game Three on Saturday and South Carolina had to claw their way into the Finals with a 4-2 win over Cal State Fullerton. Senior right-handed pitcher Taylor Tinsley didn’t go any easier on South Carolina this time around, as she allowed two hits, two walks, a hit by a pitch and a run, while striking out two batters.
A quiet start
It was a quiet start for both teams with each team connecting for one hit in the first two innings. Both hits were singles in the second and they entered the third without a run.
Running onto the scoreboard
Sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp smacked a two-run homer to left field in the top of the third to get UCLA on the scoreboard. Tinsley continued her masterclass in the pitching circle by preventing the first three South Carolina batters from getting on base.
Grand slam in the fifth
After a scoreless fourth, the Bruins got the bases loaded in the fifth and senior Megan Grant took full advantage. Grant blasted a grand slam that sent Slimp, freshman Jolyna Lamar and junior Soo-Jin Berry home to put the Bruins up by six.
Tossing South Carolina a bone
Tinsley allowed her only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth after a walk and a hit by a pitch got two runners on base. Tinsley gave up a single and sophomore outfielder Nia McKnight rushed to home for the Gamecocks only run of the game.
Leaving no chances in the sixth
The Bruins put the game out of reach in the top of the sixth with nine-runs on eight hits. Grant started the scoring frenzy with a single that sent Lamar and freshman outfielder Jaella Ann Mercado home.
Next up was senior infielder Jordan Wooley, whom blasted a double down to allow freshman utility Saydrie Meono and Slimp across the diamond for two more runs. Woolery headed home next off of freshman infielder Bri Alejandre’s single…