Softball to focus on defensive strength in weekend Stanford series

After starting the season off with a No. 7 national ranking, UCLA softball slowly fell down the ladder, landing as low as No. 16 in the USA Today poll. Inconsistencies plagued the Bruins in every aspect of their game.

Now, coming off a road series, in which they picked up two wins against Oregon (29-6, 7-2 Pac-12), the current Pac-12 leader, No. 15 UCLA (22-11-1, 4-3-1) is finally heading in the right direction.

“I believe, very clearly, if you look at us a month ago we weren’t the same team,” Bruins coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. “We weren’t competing.”

This sudden turnaround was sparked by a 10-8 victory over No. 12 (23-8, 4-5) Washington two weeks ago, and continued throughout games against Cal State Fullerton (28-10, 3-0 Big West) and Oregon. UCLA hopes to carry the building momentum into its next series as it takes on an unranked Stanford (13-17, 0-6) squad this weekend.

Stanford has yet to win a game against a Pac-12 team; the Cardinal recorded three losses each to Oregon and Oregon State this season. UCLA is not complacent though, despite its two big wins against Oregon.

“I don’t think we’re going to look past Stanford at all,” said junior shortstop Delaney Spaulding. “We step on the field and we respect our opponent, and we understand that the ballgame can go any way.”

Vigilance has been a key component of UCLA’s recent defensive success. The Bruins gave up only five extra base hits in the Oregon series and turned five double plays from all different areas of the field against the offensively dominant team. UCLA continues to lead the nation in double plays with 27 on the season.

Inouye-Perez attributes UCLA’s defensive invigoration to its dominance within the circle.

“In general our pitchers are exciting,” Inouye-Perez said. “That pumps confidence into the players, and everyone’s play (goes) to a whole different level.”

Although UCLA began the season short-staffed on pitchers, sophomores Selina Ta’amilo and Johanna Grauer, the recent recovery of redshirt junior Paige McDuffee has given the Bruins some more depth on the mound.

McDuffee has allowed only two earned runs through 18.2 innings thus far and despite her limited pitch count, has been a dominant force for UCLA the past few weeks.

Ta’amilo, after giving up five runs on four hits in the Bruins’ single loss of the weekend, spent the week assessing her struggles in practice.

“I just wasn’t consistently getting ahead and they were taking advantage of it,” Ta’amilo said. “Once I’m ahead, I can work my pitches and throw what’s best for me.”

With its defense firing on all cylinders, and a healthy batting order that has gained consistency as the season has progressed, UCLA is confident heading into the weekend.

“If we’re playing our game, I’d like to go head-to-head with anyone,” Inouye-Perez said.

The Bruins will start their series against the Cardinal on Saturday night at Easton Stadium.