GAME RECAP: No. 6 UCLA Explodes for 11 Runs in Mercy-Rule Victory Over Oregon to Avoid Sweep in Season Finale

LOS ANGELES – The No. 6 UCLA Bruins saved their biggest offensive punch of the weekend for last.

In the regular-season finale Sunday afternoon at Easton Stadium, UCLA erupted for 11 runs and four home runs in a 11-3, five-inning mercy-rule win over Oregon. The Bruins avoided the sweep, closed out the regular season on their terms, and now head into the Big Ten Tournament with plenty of momentum.

The Bruins jumped on Oregon starter Elise Sokolsky right away. Megan Grant led off the bottom of the first with a single and Aleena Garcia wasted no time, crushing a two-run homer to center field for a quick 2-0 lead. But that was just the appetizer.

UCLA put the game out of reach in the second. Sofia Mujica launched a two-run shot to center that scored Soo-jin Berry and made it 4-0. Later in the frame, Garcia came through again with a two-run single that scored Jordan Woolery and Megan Grant. Two more runs crossed the plate on a fielding error by the Ducks’ shortstop, and just like that it was 8-0 after two innings.

Oregon scratched back with three runs in the third off Taylor Tinsley, but that was as close as they’d get. The Bruins answered right back in the fourth. Rylee Slimp led things off with a solo homer to center, then Woolery followed with a two-run blast to right that scored Rylee Pinedo and pushed the lead to 11-3. At that point, the mercy rule kicked in after five innings.

Garcia was the star at the plate, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs and that early homer. Woolery, Mujica, and Slimp each added long balls of their own. Kaniya Bragg chipped in with two hits, while Grant reached base three times and scored twice. Tinsley picked up the win in relief, improving to 26-5 on the year.

The Bruins finished the regular season at 45-7 overall and 20-4 in Big Ten play. Oregon dropped to 40-11 (20-4).

After a tough couple of days against the Ducks, this one felt like a statement. The bats came alive when it mattered most, the defense stayed clean, and now UCLA gets a fresh start in the postseason.

The Big Ten Tournament begins Wednesday. The Bruins will be ready.