Columbia, S.C. – Despite four errors, the UCLA Bruins scored one run in the bottom of the sixth and one in the bottom of the eighth to come from behind and defeat the Georgia Bulldogs 2-1 in NCAA Softball Regional Championship action. The Bulldogs now play the Gamecocks of South Carolina in Game 10 tonight with the first pitch expected at 9:35 p.m. EDT. The loss was Georgia’s first in the double elimination tournament.
UCLA’s Keira Goerl pitched all eight innings, giving up three hits and one run, and had 12 strikeouts while Georgia’s Michelle Green pitched a complete game, giving up four hits and two runs with four strikeouts. Green held the Bruins hitless until the sixth inning.
The game was scoreless until, in the top of the sixth, Georgia’s Nicole Barber reached on base after an error by UCLA’s shortstop, Natasha Watley. Katie Lewis struck out, giving the Bulldogs one out. Kim Wedland singled to left field, advancing Barber to second. Michelle Green was hit by a pitch, which advanced Wedland to second and Barber to third. Shannon McKeon hit into a fielder’s choice as the Bruins were able to get Wedland out at third, but were unable to get Barber out as she crossed home plate to give Bulldogs the lead. Kristen Bell would ground out to the pitcher to end the inning.
UCLA’s Natasha Watley came up in the bottom of the sixth with one out and doubled to left center. Amanda Freed would ground out to third, giving the Bruins two outs. Tairia Mims would be up next and hit a double into center field, scoring Watley. Stacey Nuveman would reach on base off an intentional walk. Claire Sua would pop up to the catcher, ending the inning.
UCLA had the chance to score again in the bottom of the seventh with one out as Julie Hoshizaki was at third after pinch running for Crissy Buck. Hoshizaki was on third, Stephanie Ramos was at second and Monique Mejia was at first. Natasha Watley hit a fly ball to left field and it would be caught, but UCLA Coach Sue Enquist would not send Hoshizaki home for the win. UCLA would not score in this inning.
Georgia would fail to do anything in the top of the eighth, sending UCLA to the plate again. Tairia Mims would lead-off and hit a rocketing shot into deep right field that would clear the fence and give the Bruins the extra-inning win.
“We were not flawless defensively and we had missed opportunities offensively,” said UCLA Head Coach Sue Enquist. “I felt like today we gutted it out and the one thing that this team has shown all year is they don’t give up. A large part of that is because we are strong in the circle, and our pitcher was great tonight and clutched up when she needed to.”
