After struggling over the first three weeks of the season, Johanna Grauer baffled hitters last week. The sophomore pitcher’s development couldn’t have come at a better time for UCLA softball.
Entering the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament last weekend, the Bruins were riding a three-game losing streak. With her team in a rut and slipping in the rankings, Grauer rose to the occasion, going 3-1 over her next four starts with a 1.40 ERA. Grauer’s dominance propelled UCLA to a 4-1 weekend, helping the team break out of its slump.
“She’s always a competitor,” sophomore second baseman Kylee Perez said. “Her stepping up really brought confidence to the field, defense and overall play.”
The last four weeks were trying for the Bruins, who faced eight different ranked opponents during that span, but Grauer feels that the strong early schedule will help UCLA in the long run.
“We didn’t get the result against a lot of those teams but I’ll take those tough losses because they help us moving ahead,” Grauer said.
This week, No. 14 UCLA will have a less arduous schedule at the Long Beach Louisville Slugger Invitational, the team’s final tournament before Pac-12 play begins later this month. The Bruins won’t play any ranked teams and are set to square off against a pair of sub-.500 squads in Princeton (3-6) and Utah Valley (4-16).
UCLA will still be tested, though. In addition to Princeton and Utah Valley, the Bruins have matchups against several more formidable opponents in Long Beach State (11-8), Iowa State (11-8) and Mississippi State (16-3).
The game against Mississippi State will be the tallest task this week for UCLA. The Bulldogs boast an impressive pitching staff with the second-lowest team ERA in the country at 1.07. Mississippi State does not have a true No. 1 pitcher. Instead, coach Vann Stuedeman utilizes a trio of pitchers evenly.
Freshmen Cori Cooper and Regan Green, along with sophomore Holly Ward, have been impressive for Mississippi State this season, each registering a sub-1.00 ERA.
Offense has been UCLA’s best asset thus far this season though. The Bruins rank within the top 50 in team average, runs and hits, coming off a nine-run outburst against UC Davis on Sunday.
“We’re settling in,” said coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. “You got to see better quality at-bats, better at-bats period, some clutch performances and some walk-offs even (last week).”
While the Bruins’ offense has been stalwart this season, their pitching has not and it will be the key factor in determining the success of the team this week. Sophomore pitcher Selina Ta’amilo has struggled at times over the past two weeks after starting the season hot. She has a 5.04 ERA in her last 11 outings.
While Ta’amilo aims to regain her early season form, UCLA will rely upon Grauer to provide the team with quality innings.
Although UCLA will continue to lean heavily upon Grauer and Ta’amilo this week, Inouye-Perez hinted that pitching reinforcements may soon arrive.
“(Redshirt junior) Paige McDuffee might get back into the picture soon,” said Inouye-Perez.
In the meantime, with Pac-12 play around the corner, this week’s tournament will serve as a key momentum builder for the Bruins, who seemed to turn a corner to last week.
“You’re going to see different results,” said Inouye-Perez. “Being undefeated is no longer an option but our goal is to continue to get better.”
UCLA opens the week Friday afternoon against Mississippi State.