UCLA softball advances to NCAA Super Regionals
The Bruins (46-8) next play No. 12 national seed Duke, which beat Georgia in the Durham Regional finals on Sunday.
WESTWOOD — Anna Vines proved on Sunday afternoon that she knows how to close out an inning.
In the third frame, she laced a three-run home run over the centerfield wall — her first homer of the season. In the inning before, she had seemingly telepathic communication with teammates to link together a double play.
“We had actually talked about running a double play before the game,” Vines said. “We practice them all the time so it’s awesome to get it done.”
Vines’ contributions flowed into a day of solid defense and pitching as UCLA, the No. 5 national seed, needed just five innings to beat Mississippi, 9-1, and punch its ticket to the NCAA Super Regionals.
The Bruins (46-8) next play No. 12 national seed Duke, which beat Georgia in the Durham Regional finals on Sunday.
While Vines, a junior, went 2-for-2 with five RBIs, a single and a home run, Holly Azevedo threw 4 2/3 innings, giving up one hit and one run, both of which came in the fifth inning. She while walked two and recorded three strikeouts.
Megan Faraimo came in for the save and logged one strikeout for the final out of the game.
“We have such a deep staff that if I ever need help, Megan has got my back and vice versa,” Azevedo said. “We got ourselves in a situation and got out.”
The Bruins got to work early on offense to put up five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Delanie Wisz and Maya Brady kicked off the scoring with an RBI double apiece, then Alyssa Garcia was next with an RBI single.
Vines had her first hit of the game on a two-run single to polish off the first-inning scoring off for UCLA, then the Bruins went 1-2-3 in a second inning that ended with a double play. Wisz snatched up a grounder that took a bounce towards third base, snapped it to Vines at second, who passed it to Kinsley Washington at first.
“We sent a big statement that we’re here to play,” coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. “And they didn’t let up. They had the ability to keep going, which I think is a sign that we’re trying to play our best ball right now.”
Savannah Pola hit an RBI single in the third inning, then Vines stepped up and homered over the center field wall for three runs and a 9-0 advantage.
Pola is the only freshman in the Bruins’ starting lineup and has 49 hits and 40 RBIs this season while hitting .348.
“She is a very selfless player and a very scrappy player and she could beat anyone in the country,” Inouye-Perez said. “But being a freshman is fun, especially on a team that has some veterans that have some experience.”
Brady and Pola were each 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Wisz and Garcia both went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI.
Ole Miss (41-19) scored in the fifth inning on an RBI single from Paige Smith. Faraimo came in the game after the run and the Rebels loaded the bases when Angelina DeLeon was hit by a pitch.
Faraimo struck out Tate Whitley to end the game with three players still on base.
Earlier in the Los Angeles Regional, UCLA beat Grand Canyon 12-1 on Friday in five innings, then beat Loyola Marymount 7-1 on Saturday afternoon to secure a spot in the regional finals.
“I love that they’re playing their best ball right now,” Inouye-Perez said. “I think that’s the best part about the postseason. There’s the ability to really come together and play as one and I think it’s contagious. We love being here. They’re ready to play. Now it’s time to be the best version of yourself.”