This post was updated Feb. 10 at 2:20 a.m.

Even storm clouds can’t rain on UCLA’s parade.

Inclement weather washed away the Bruins’ would-be season opener Thursday. But Friday night, No. 6 UCLA softball (2-0) swept its first doubleheader of the season, drowning out IU Indianapolis (0-2) with scores of 8-0 and 9-0, respectively, in the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament. The Bruins concluded the tournament with a 10-2 victory over UC Riverside on Sunday.

For the 16th year in a row, the Bruins opened their season in the win column – this time with two run-rule victories.

The Bruins entered Easton Stadium ranked five positions higher than last season, boasting the nation’s No. 1 freshman class plus a pair of Pac-12 Freshman of the Year winners.

Freshmen left fielder Rylee Slimp and catcher Sofia Mujica both went yard in Game 1, with the former bringing home pinch runner junior Rylee Pinedo in the process.

“The freshmen bring such a lightness to the team,” said junior infielder Jordan Woolery. “I feel like during the games, we can get super serious – even in practice, too – but they bring in good energy, and it keeps us young and fresh, too.”

Both junior Taylor Tinsley and sophomore Kaitlyn Terry recorded wins on the night, with 2024 Gatorade Player of the Year Addisen Fisher relieving the former. The trio ultimately struck out the Jaguars 23 times – their competitors punched out none.

“I’m most impressed with our pitchers’ ability to be able to give our offense the ability to hold down the opponent, to give them time to score,” coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. “A sign of some great things to come for the pitching staff.”

Maya Brady and Sharlize Palacios, the 2024 All-Americans who combined for 37 home runs last season, may have departed for the AUSL – a professional softball league – and a broadcasting career, respectively, but Slimp said they didn’t take all of UCLA’s power and identity with them.

“The juniors play a big role in our leadership,” Slimp said. “As a freshman, especially, they’ve been very good at letting us know what the expectations are and how the program runs.”

Four of UCLA’s players hold spots on USA Softball’s Collegiate Player of the Year watchlist, with the potential to take home the award Brady was a top 10 finalist for twice. Joined by Terry and Tinsley, Woolery and junior right fielder Megan Grant found themselves within the top 50 for the second season in a row – and both lived up to their roles as UCLA’s two most productive veterans at the plate Friday.

Three of the initial game’s runs were under Grant’s name, with granting bringing in two and later scoring on graduate student second baseman Seneca Curo’s two-run homer. After a quiet first performance, Woolery knocked in three in Game 2.

“These first few games were really important for us to feel our vibe and what 2025 UCLA softball was going to be like,” Slimp said.

Graduate student outfielder Jessica Clements spearheaded the Bruins’ offensive arsenal in the final game of the tournament, garnering three hits, including a double and two RBIs. Curo, senior catcher Jayla Castro and senior utility Savannah Pola each added two hits of their own. 

Ultimately, it was the Bruins’ effort on the bump that expanded their win streak to five. Freshman pitcher/utility Fisher tossed four innings, giving up just two earned runs while striking out seven.

The Bruins will continue their regular season slate Friday at the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational, where they will play two opponents ranked in the top 25.