The UCLA women’s softball team’s usual demolition of other teams from Southern California was almost derailed when it came home to play on Sunday.
Unranked Long Beach State (10-4) mounted two early rallies against the nation’s top team, but were turned away as the Bruins won 4-0.
UCLA won its three games in the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament to advance to 16-0.
On Sunday both teams had chances early in the game, but neither team could convert.
It was an ominous sign for the Bruins, who usually jump out to quick leads.
“You worry about a club that’s been doing so well offensively. When it doesn’t come right away sometimes they get in their own head,” coach Sue Enquist said.
“Our club didn’t do that today. They battled it out,” she added.
With no score in the top of the fourth inning, the 49ers’ first three runners reached base against Keira Goerl, UCLA’s best pitcher.
She was able to work out of the bases loaded, no-out jam with an unexpected assist from the Bruins’ defense, which had been the team’s biggest weakness so far this season.
With one out, left fielder Tara Henry charged on a fly ball to make the catch, then threw to second in time to double off 49er shortstop Jamie Farnworth to end the inning.
“As soon as (Henry) pulled that double play it was like momentum was back on our side and we were unshakeable,” freshman designated player Whitney Holum said.
Holum capitalized on the shift in momentum, doubling to left field to drive in the game’s first run.
The Bruins added three more runs in the fifth to solidify Goerl’s lead, including a two-run homer by center fielder Stephanie Ramos.
It was a good thing UCLA got that insurance, as Long Beach State mounted another rally in the seventh inning before Goerl (9-0) closed the door.
She got her fifth shutout of the season but was hardly dominant, only striking out three batters.
“It puts a little pressure on us when (Goerl) brings anything but her ‘A’ game,” Enquist said.
At the plate it was a different story, especially for Ramos, who hammered opposing pitchers all week. She hit 8 for 10 with three home runs and 6 RBI.
After hitting home runs in back-to-back at-bats in the second game against UC Santa Barbara (11-10), the Gauchos stopped giving her good pitches to hit.
“It’s all about pitch selection and being patient,” Ramos said.
On Saturday, UCLA had a pair of easy wins in a doubleheader against UC Santa Barbara, 10-0 and 7-0.
The first game was called in the sixth inning when freshman Lisa Dodd hit a grand slam to trigger softball’s mercy rule.
She then stepped into the pitching circle and threw a three-hitter in the second game of the doubleheader to improve to 6-0.
Dodd wore a helmet with a football-style face mask when playing second base on Saturday after taking a ground ball to the mouth last week.
“The only thing I was worried about was missing the practice this week,” Dodd said.
This weekend’s tournament was the first time the Bruins played at UCLA. They will not have another home game until after spring break.