UCLA softball notches mercy-rule victory over CSUN in 2022 season opener

The Bruins accomplished many feats on opening day.

On a night in which redshirt senior pitcher Holly Azevedo threw her first solo no-hitter, the blue and gold began the 2022 campaign tying the program season-opening run record with 22.

“Having your pitcher throw a no-hitter at any point in the season is amazing,” said redshirt senior infielder Delanie Wisz. “But to have it be the first game of the season is really special. I’m really glad Holly got to experience that tonight.”

Boosted by a 13-run first inning, No. 3 UCLA softball (1-0) shut out Cal State Northridge (0-1) by a score of 22-0 in five innings via mercy rule Thursday night at Easton Stadium. The victory extends the Bruins’ season-opening winning streak to 12 and marks their eighth straight triumph over the Matadors.

“That’s what you hope for on day one,” said coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. “We got to show all parts of our game tonight. We got to see some power, some speed, and ultimately we got to see that no-no.”

Stepping up to the plate for the first time in 2022, all nine UCLA batters reached base before CSUN recorded its first out. The Bruins recorded 11 hits in the opening frame, with Wisz, redshirt sophomore utility Maya Brady and redshirt senior infielder Kinsley Washington having multi-hit innings.

“We’re a big pass-the-bat team,” Wisz said. “That just means if I’m not going to do it, the person behind me will. That first inning really reflected how well of a pass-the-bat team we are.”

To culminate the stretch, Brady and Washington recorded back-to-back home runs to extend the lead to a baker’s dozen.

“Maya’s going to leave her mark here at UCLA, but I was most proud of Kinsley,” Inouye-Perez said. “(Washington has) really put a focus on being able to have power knowing she has short game. … For her to be able to have that kind of power behind a Maya Brady, that just says great things about the future of our lineup.”

Following a scoreless second inning, the Bruins added more runs in the third. Wisz picked up an RBI double while Washington brought two runners home with another single before getting caught trying to stretch it to a double.

In the top of the fourth, two Matador batters were able to reach base after getting hit by pitches, but Azevedo left them stranded by recording a strikeout and forcing a ground out. Through four, the redshirt senior pitcher had seven strikeouts – one away from tying her career high.

For the second consecutive inning, Wisz stepped into the batter’s box with runners in scoring position in the fourth frame, this time with the bases loaded. The redshirt senior hit a rocket directly up the infield into center field for her fourth hit of the game and her third and fourth RBIs on the night. Brady followed suit with a line drive through the middle for a four-hit game of her own, bringing in another UCLA run.

Behind two hits by pitch, the Bruins loaded the bases three more times to bring in two more runs before a ground out ended the fourth with the scoreboard at 22-0. The three runners were the only ones left stranded Thursday night for the home team.

Three outs away from a no-hitter, Azevedo tied her career high in strikeouts with eight before forcing ground outs to shortstop and second base to keep the Matador hit column empty.

“Shout out to my teammates and my defense because it’s hard to stay in a game that’s so predominantly offensive,” Azevedo said. “It was definitely really good to have (the no-hitter) the first day, but I also have work to do.”

UCLA will continue opening weekend with games against UC San Diego and Nevada on Friday at Easton Stadium.