For the majority of nonconference play, UCLA softball’s offense found success by playing small ball. The No. 16 Bruins (17-8) have amassed 214 hits over the course of 25 games, 150 of which have been singles.
This weekend at the Long Beach Louisville Slugger Invitational, however, it was UCLA’s power hitting that carried them through four wins, including a mercy rule-invoked 19-0 victory over Utah Valley (4-20) and another, a stomping 13-1, against Princeton (3-9).
“We were really able to connect,” said coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. “We got some extra base hits – some doubles, some triples and some home runs … and not as many LOBs.”
The Bruins posted a total of 42 runs over the course of the weekend, with contributions across the lineup. Junior shortstop Delaney Spaulding had a total of 11 RBIs, garnering her Pac-12 Player of the Week honors. Sophomore catcher Madeline Jelenicki hit four home runs, including two against Utah Valley that led to a five-inning win for UCLA.
“I just worked a lot this week with our hitting coach, Lisa Fernandez,” Jelenicki said. “I worked on my approach and staying in the zone.”
Jelenicki now leads the Bruins with six home runs on the year.
Other batters stepped up for UCLA as well: Senior third baseman Mysha Sataraka plated five runs throughout the weekend. Freshman first baseman Brianna Tautalafua, who started the first game of her NCAA career in Friday’s rainout against Mississippi State (18-6), had a two-run home run in a 7-1 victory over Iowa State (12-11).
“Brianna came to be a game changer and impact the lineup immediately,” Inouye-Perez said. “Now that she’s cleared to play she came through and was able to perform.”
Tautalafua was not the only Bruin to make her season debut in Long Beach. Redshirt junior pitcher Paige McDuffee, who spent most of the preseason recovering from an injured left leg, looked strong on the mound against Iowa State, allowing only one hit and three walks through 13 batters.
UCLA’s other starting pitchers managed to find consistency this weekend after a rocky preseason. Sophomore Selina Ta’amilo gave up only two hits and struck out nine batters in seven innings throughout the tournament, and sophomore Johanna Grauer racked up three wins while allowing only two earned runs.
“I think our big difference now is pitching wise,” Inouye-Perez said. “You’re seeing more and more confidence in the circle.”
Defensively the Bruins were strong, committing only two errors in the tournament. UCLA currently has the most double plays in NCAA softball, as the Bruins turned their 17th of the year on Sunday in their 3-2 win over Long Beach State University (15-9).
The Bruins now hope that this weekend’s strong performance at the LBSI will give them momentum as they embark on their 2016 Pac-12 campaign.
“We were definitely hoping to win all our games this weekend,” said Grauer. “It’s a good confidence boost entering the Pac-12.”
UCLA begins Pac-12 play against Cal on Saturday, riding an eight-game win streak.
Email Sanders at dsanders@media.ucla.edu or tweet him @DESanders24.