After stumbling through the first week of Pac-12 play, UCLA softball will get a one-game recess from the Pac-12 when it squares off against Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday night.
No. 14 UCLA (19-10-1) had an eight-game winning streak entering conference play, but went 2-2-1 against California and No. 10 Washington last week.
Although Cal State Fullerton (25-9) will offer UCLA a reprieve from the rigors of the Pac-12, the Titans still present a challenge for a team that has struggled lately.
Pitching continues to be the largest question mark for the Bruins. The team’s two-woman rotation of sophomores Selina Ta’amilo and Johanna Grauer has had its ups and downs to start the season. Redshirt junior Paige McDuffee returned to the staff, providing some quality innings, but she hasn’t pitched in any of UCLA’s last three games.
With McDuffee’s availability unknown, Ta’amilo and Grauer may be heavily leaned upon against Cal State Fullerton.
The Titans have a respectable offensive, led by the bat of junior Alexis Gonzalez, who leads Fullerton in average, home runs and RBIs.
Meanwhile, the Bruin offense will also be key. Last week, UCLA’s bats were productive at times and unproductive at others, putting up 10 runs against Washington but getting shutout against the same Huskies squad.
The Bruins will face a tall task against the Titans, who currently have the 28th lowest team ERA in the country at 2.31. Freshman Sydney Golden and senior Desiree Ybarra each have sub-2.50 ERAs and have been stalwarts on the mound.
Senior outfielder Allexis Bennett and sophomore utility Kylee Perez have been standouts all year, and they will look to continue to lead UCLA’s offensive charge.
With another tough slate of Pac-12 games beginning later this week, Tuesday’s nonconference game gives the Bruins a chance to get back on track and build some momentum.