UCLA softball rallies for wild win over Cal Baptist in NCAA Tournament opener

Their postseason fate unexpectedly teetering as they gathered along the third-base line, down to their final three outs in their NCAA Tournament opener, the UCLA softball players delivered a message. “They were all telling me, ‘We will win — we’re going to win this game,’ ” coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. Why not?

Freshman Jolyna Lamar celebrates as she rounds the bases after belting the game-tying two-run homer in the seventh inning of UCLA’s 12-11 win over Cal Baptist in their NCAA Tournament opener on May 15, 2026 in Los Angeles. @UCLASoftball / X A seventh-inning comeback was practically the only thing missing from a wildly vacillating game in which the Bruins built a big early lead and then gave it all away while surrendering 10 runs in an inning for the first time in more than a quarter of a century. None of that mattered given their resolve — and powerful offense.

“There were no moments,” UCLA slugger Jordan Woolery said, “where we doubted our abilities. ” That belief was rewarded with one final plot twist Friday night at Easton Stadium, the Bruins scoring three runs in the final inning to rally for a 12-11 victory over California Baptist. Aleena Garcia’s sacrifice fly to right field drove in Rylee Slimp with the winning run, sparking a spirited celebration for a team that persevered through extreme momentum swings.

“Bruin Magic is real,” Inouye-Perez said on a night that her team hit four homers and survived a nightmarish fifth inning. Cal Baptist sent 14 batters to the plate in that inning, benefiting from three walks, two homers and a few sloppy plays from Bruins defenders while transforming a 7-1 deficit into an 11-7 lead. FROM DOWN TWO RUNS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH INNING UCLA WALKS IT OFF pic.