Photo by: Tyler Brooks
#7 UCLA Takes Series Finale From Softball
Mar 23 | Softball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers softball was topped by #7 UCLA, 17-6, in the series finale Monday night at the RU Softball Complex.
While UCLA held an 11-2 advantage after three innings, the Scarlet Knights were able to cut into the Bruins' lead in the fourth as three of RU's four runs in the inning came on the heels of UCLA's season-high 12 walks. A trio of bases-loaded walks had Rutgers down 11-6 before UCLA was able to take the game in six innings for its 22nd consecutive win.
The loss drops the Scarlet Knights to 16-15 overall and 3-6 in Big Ten play as they resume nonconference action tomorrow at Seton Hall.
#7 UCLA 17, Rutgers 6 (6)
| STATISTICALLY SPEAKING |
- Senior Mia Mitchell was 2-for-2 with two RBIs, while sophomore Baileigh Burtis hit 2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.
- Mitchell along with sophomores Addie Osborne and Jayla Fuller each collected RBIs on bases-loaded walks in the fourth.
- Freshman Charleigh Schuettler posted an RBI double.
- Sophomore Kassandra Gewecke dropped to 5-7 in the circle in the loss. Freshman Marley Caldwell tossed the final three innings and logged a trio of strikeouts.
| THE RUNDOWN |
- UCLA put up eight runs on eight hits, including three home runs, in the second inning. Aleena Garcia and Alexis Ramierz captured back-to-back solo home runs, while the bases were loaded for a two-run Jordan Woolery single and Bri Alejandre grand slam.
- Rutgers plated its first run of the game in the bottom half. Siera Hoekstra walked and scored on a Charleigh Schuettler double to left center.
- The Bruins pushed out to an 11-1 edge in the top half of the third. With two aboard, Megan Grant doubled to right-center for a run and two scored as Woolery followed with a single to right-center.
- The Scarlet Knights posted a run once again in the bottom half. With Hailey Stripling on third and Baileigh Burtis on second, Mia Mitchell's ball bounced right in front of the Bruins' left fielder for a base hit. Stripling was able to score, but UCLA was able to catch Burtis at the plate.
- Rutgers cut into the Bruins' advance in the bottom of the fourth with four runs, including three coming on bases-loaded walks. Three were aboard on a Bailey Briggs walk, Sam Rohwer double to right and Stephanie Kraska hit by a pitch. Burtis collected an RBI single to center, while three-straight walks gave RBIs to Addie Osborne, Mitchell and Jayla Fuller for RU to trail 11-6.
- UCLA added a pair of runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth for the final margin. The fifth saw a sac fly for Grant and an RBI single for Alejandre, while in the sixth, two runs came across on a Woolery single to left and a double down the right field line in Alejandre's next at-bat.
| UP NEXT |
Rutgers softball is back in action tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24 at Seton Hall at 2 p.m. with a stream available on YouTube.
Follow Rutgers softball on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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Players Mentioned
INF
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RHP
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OF
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RHP
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INF
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OF/INF
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OF
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INF
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INF
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C
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INF/OF
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