No. 7 UCLA held off a late charge by No. 9 Nebraska softball, as the Bruins defeated the Cornhuskers, 6-5, Saturday at Bowlin Stadium. The loss stops Nebraska’s 14-game winning streak. The game was played before a school-record crowd of 3,123
UCLA (29-5, 10-1 Big Ten) jumped out to a 3-0 lead three batters into the game. After singles by Rylee Slimp and Megan Grant, Jordan Woolery clubbed a three-run home run, her 20th of the year, to give the Bruins the lead. In the bottom of the first, three walks loaded the bases before Ava Kuszak drew a bases-loaded walk to put the Huskers (25-6, 7-1 Big Ten) on the board. Alexis Jensen hit into a fielder’s choice, driving in a run to cut UCLA’s lead to 3-2. Then in bottom of the fifth, Jordy Frahm crushed a home run down the left-field line to tie the game at three.
But in the top of the sixth, an RBI double by Aleena Garcia gave the lead back to the Bruins. Later in the inning, a two-run home run by Jolyna Lamar pushed UCLA’s lead to 6-3. Nebraska climbed back into the game in the bottom of the seventh. Lauren Camenzind drove a home run to left, and Frahm followed with her second homer of the game, shrinking the Bruins’ lead to 6-5. Three walks loaded the bases with one out, but the threat fizzled, and the Huskers left the tying run at third.
Taylor Tinsley (16-3) earned the win for UCLA, throwing six innings of relief while allowing three earned runs and five hits. Frahm (8-4) took the loss, surrendering eight hits and six runs in seven innings.
The Bruins and Nebraska will finish the pivotal Big Ten series Sunday at Bowlin Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for noon.