‘Bruin Magic’ comes through in UCLA softball’s epic comeback…
Their postseason destiny unexpectedly teetering as they gathered alongside the third-base line, all the way down to their final three outs in their NCAA Tournament opener, the UCLA softball gamers delivered a message.
“They were all telling me, ‘We will win — we’re going to win this game,’ ” coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said.
Why not?
Freshman Jolyna Lamar celebrates as she rounds the bases after belting the game-tying two-run homer in the seventh inning of UCLA’s 12-11 win over Cal Baptist in their NCAA Tournament opener on May 15, 2026 in Los Angeles. @UCLASoftball / X
A seventh-inning comeback was virtually the only factor lacking from a wildly vacillating game in which the Bruins constructed a big early lead and then gave all of it away while surrendering 10 runs in an inning for the first time in more than 1 / 4 of a century.
None of that mattered given their resolve — and highly effective offense.
“There were no moments,” UCLA slugger Jordan Woolery said, “where we doubted our abilities.”
That perception was rewarded with one final plot twist Friday night time at Easton Stadium, the Bruins scoring three runs in the final inning to rally for a 12-11 victory over California Baptist.
Aleena Garcia’s sacrifice fly to proper area drove in Rylee Slimp with the successful run, sparking a spirited celebration for a team that persevered through excessive momentum swings.
“Bruin Magic is real,” Inouye-Perez said on an evening that her team hit 4 homers and survived a nightmarish fifth inning.
Cal Baptist despatched 14 batters to the plate in that inning, benefiting from three walks, two homers and a few sloppy performs from Bruins defenders while remodeling a 7-1 deficit into an 11-7 lead.
It represented the most runs UCLA (48-8) had allowed in an inning since giving up 11 against Arizona on April 3, 1998.
Ultimately, it didn’t matter for a team that moved into the winner’s bracket.
“I’m just going to say welcome to the postseason, right?” Inouye-Perez said.
What it means
The Bruins gained’t instantly face an elimination game in their bid to achieve their third consecutive Women’s College World Series.
Turning point
Trailing by two runs coming into the backside of the seventh, the Bruins received it executed.
Soo-Jin Berry stroked a one-out single to left area before freshman Jolyna Lamar — who had struck out in her first two at-bats before being changed by a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning — stepped to the plate.
“So many people came up to me and were like, ‘We’ve got you, we’ve got your back, keep working, we trust you,’ ” Lamar said. “So I think their belief in me really allowed me to keep fighting.”
Lamar responded with a two-run homer to right-center on a full depend to tie the score.
Rylee Slimp adopted with an infield single before back-to-back walks to Megan Grant and Woolery loaded the bases. Garcia’s sacrifice fly ended the game.
Did you see that?
Several sprinklers went off in the outfield in the backside of the fourth while umpires reviewed a potential interference name on UCLA pinch-runner Rylee Pinedo at second base.
It was a double-whammy for the Bruins when the umpires dominated there was interference on Pinedo, ensuing in an inning-ending double play.
MVP: Brynne Nally
After changing Tinsley in the fifth and giving up a homer to the first batter she confronted, UCLA reliever Brynne Nally (5-1) rebounded to carry the Lancers scoreless for the remainder of her 2 ⅔ innings.
“I think our most proud moment — separate from the offense — was Brynne Nally coming in and being able to stop the bleeding,” Inouye-Perez said, “and I think that was a really big pick-me-up for all of us.”
Up next
The Bruins will face South Carolina in a winner’s bracket game at 2 p.m. Saturday after the Gamecocks rallied for 4 late runs to beat Cal State Fullerton, 7-4, on Friday.
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