How UCLA softball leveled up to return to the Women’s College World Series

UCLA softball is back in the Women’s College World Series after a turnaround season – and also after dealing with some trauma from its 2023 season, which ended with back-to-back losses in the NCAA Regionals.

“It’s never going to disappear, but to let it weigh on you and live in that is a choice. And we’ve let that weight go,” Bruins coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. “It’s about this year’s seniors. It’s about this team.”

The sixth-seeded Bruins (42-10) open their NCAA-record 32nd Women’s College World Series against 14th-seeded Alabama (38-18) on Thursday with battle-tested players who have leveled up this season.

No. 2 seed Oklahoma and No. 10 seed Duke are also in the double-elimination Bracket 2 of the WCWS.

The Bruins’ sophomore class will be making its first appearance at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. That class includes Megan Grant (.342 avg, 40 RBIs) and Jordan Woolery (.318 avg, 33 RBIs) as well as pitcher Taylor Tinsley.

The right-hander (17-8) has shared time in the circle with Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Kaitlyn Terry (21-1), which has allowed for rapid development and experience for both.

The two own ERAs of 2.53 and 3.04, respectively, heading into the WCWS and bring variety to the bullpen between Terry being a left-hander and Tinsley’s off-speed pitches.

“It’s a bunch of new beginnings,” Tinsley said. “We’re just really excited to get out there and see what it’s all about. We’ve all been watching this tournament since we were so young, so we’re just really happy that we get to be on that stage.”

Redshirt senior catcher Sharlize Palacios is the pitching staff’s rock behind the plate. She has not committed an error at home plate in 304 chances and has thrown out nine runners on attempted steals.

“She’s truly a calm leader. Having her presence out there changes the entire dynamic of the field,” redshirt senior shortstop Maya Brady said. “With the pitchers, she literally looks at them and says one word and the adjustment’s made.”

She’s made an impact in the batting order, too, with five home runs in five NCAA Tournament games and 20 homers this season. The All-Pac 12 Defensive Team player is hitting .387 with a slugging percentage of .876.

Palacios is reunited with Jadelynn Allchin, Janelle Meoño and Brady this season – a group that played travel ball together since they were 12. Palacios and Meoño transferred to UCLA ahead of the 2023 season and Allchin transferred prior to the 2024 season.

“It’s just a really cool opportunity to spend my last year in OKC,” Brady said. “Especially with this class just because it is kind of weird that we all played together and then went separate ways and then now we’re back together. I’m just super excited.”

Brady has been a catalyst in UCLA getting back to the WCWS through her leadership and impressive hitting. The back-to-back Pac-12 Player of the Year hit .558 in the last 16 games with 29 RBIs, seven home runs and a 1.058 slugging percentage.

“In the bigger situations, you don’t see her go backward,” said Inouye-Perez, who is in her 18th season as the Bruins’ head coach. “She actually levels up in those situations.”

Alabama is making its 15th appearance in the WCWS and has been led in the NCAA Tournament by sophomore catcher Riley Valentine’s .412 batting average, eight RBIs and two home runs.