One of the four Bruin alumni on Team USA’s 16-person roster was sure to make an impact on the team.

What came more unexpectedly, however, was for the UCLA softball contingent to paint the box score and dominate on both sides of the ball.

No. 1 United States won all three of its group stage games in the Women’s Baseball Softball Confederation 2024 World Cup Finals, simultaneously becoming one of four teams to punch a Super Round berth.

Despite unfamiliarity among teammates, Team USA still found ways to unify.

“The first couple games, we were just getting comfortable,” said former UCLA pitcher/first baseman Rachel Garcia. “We’re not together for a very long time, but it’s super cool to see how well we have all meshed together, and it’s so awesome to see multiple Bruins be a part of the national team and be able to play.”

In the first game, the U.S. defeated Canada 5-2, spearheaded by late-game heroics from infielder and UCLA alumnus Maya Brady.

Tied 2-2 at the bottom of the sixth, a double to left center from Brady gave the Stars and Stripes a 4-2 lead. Brady finished the game with one run, one hit and two RBIs. Garcia also contributed at the plate, notching one walk and one run.

On the mound, former UCLA pitcher/utility Ally Carda tossed three innings – giving up three hits, two walks and two earned runs.

UCLA defeated Italy 7-0 in five-inning run-rule fashion during the second game. Brady continued to perform at the plate, adding one hit and one RBI, along with former Bruin pitcher/first baseman Megan Faraimo’s crucial performance on the bump.

The Oceanside, California, local threw all five innings and struck out nine while giving up two hits and zero earned runs and walking zero batters.

Faraimo and Carda – the Bruin pitching tandem – have allowed the team to succeed defensively while also absorbing all of the wisdom that others have to share.

“She (Faraimo) was in a groove, and she was being herself and trusting Dejah Mulipola behind the plate and dealing,” Garcia said. “Working with Ally in the bullpen, talking about our experiences and bouncing ideas off of each other – she’s (Carda is) an awesome advocate for our sport.”

The U.S. Women’s National Team completed its group stage success with a 6-0 shutout over China.

Brady – the batting leadoff for the Eagles – added two hits, two RBIs, one walk and one run. While Brady dominated offensively, Bruin pitchers Carda and Faraimo combined for a one-hit shutout. The tandem walked zero batters as well.

After sweeping the competition in its group, the U.S. beat No. 3 Japan 2-0 in the Super Round on Thursday.

“The goal is to dominate, dominate every team that we play, dominate everywhere we go and at the end of the day, staying true to who we are as a national team,” Garcia said.