UCLA softball ace Taylor Tinsley shuts down South Carolina

When it comes to UCLA softball’s pitching depth, it’s Taylor Tinsley and worry immensely. The Bruins ace has started every postseason game and pitched more than half her team’s innings over the season. UCLA pitcher Taylor Tinsley delivered Saturday against South Carolina.

Courtesy of Andrew Sinatra So it was no surprise that less than 24 hours after she walked off the mound inside her home stadium, she was back on it again Saturday afternoon. Rebounding from one of her worst outings, Tinsley delivered in a big way during the Bruins’ 7-2 victory over South Carolina at Easton Stadium in an NCAA Tournament Regional. After getting shelled for a career-worst nine runs in one inning on Friday night , Tinsley pitched a complete game against the Gamecocks.

The right-hander gave up seven hits and only two runs — both on solo home runs — while striking out six and walking one. “In the postseason, one of the most important things you can do is have a short-term memory,” UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said, “and I couldn’t be more proud of how Taylor came out today and just played her game. ” Tinsley (29-6) said she used positive reinforcement to shake off her performance against California Baptist the previous day.

“It’s a lot of words of affirmation,” Tinsley said, “just having a game plan that I will do this for my team today, I will do this for myself today. ” UCLA’s Megan Grant hit her 39th home run of the season Saturday. Courtesy of Andrew Sinatra Tinsley benefited from home runs from teammates Megan Grant, Aleena Garcia and Bri Alejandre — including Grant’s 39th, a two-run shot in the second inning that extended her single-season NCAA record and gave the Bruins (49-8) a 6-1 lead.