When alumni Sharlize Palacios and Maya Brady graduated, many thought the Bruins’ reign would be over.

But their 7-1 record against top-25 opponents speaks volumes about what the Bruins can be: the best of the best.

Following a tournament victory at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, No. 4 UCLA softball (14-2) will head to Fullerton, California, for a three-day lineup in the Judi Garman Classic. The long weekend kicks off Thursday against No. 6 LSU (14-0) and Notre Dame (8-7), followed by Utah (4-12) and Cal State Fullerton (11-5) on Friday and Weber State (4-11) and No. 10 Arizona (15-2) on Saturday.

Thus far, UCLA has proven time and time again its success against ranked teams, winning two of its seven ranked victories in run-rule fashion. Before the Bruins are faced with conference opponents, they’ll have one last swing at keeping their winning record pristine.

Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said the strongest variables at play in contributing to wins are the ones found in the roster.

“This whole preseason is to learn about ourselves, and we’re learning a lot,” Inouye-Perez said. “We can play great softball. We’ve got all parts of the game, but the culture is very strong.”

While UCLA’s newcomers have composed much of this season’s narrative, familiar Bruins have been responsible for many of the most influential moments. Junior infielder Jordan Woolery has already notched 22 RBIs – nine more than Utah’s leader, outfielder Kaylah Nelsen. And inside the circle, last year’s Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Kaitlyn Terry, boasts a lower ERA than Arizona’s ace, pitcher Miranda Stoddard.

From dugout to bullpen, junior pitcher Taylor Tinsley said this team’s chemistry has propelled it above previous competitors.

“Definitely a force to be reckoned with,” Tinsley said. “We all have each other’s back, and we feed off of each other really well.”

Heading into the Judi Garman Classic last season, then-No. 19 UCLA had notched one run-rule victory – over Illinois. This time around, the Bruins have pocketed eight. UCLA’s 107 runs on the season – a gap of more than a dozen over Notre Dame and Cal State Fullerton – is evidence of its efficiency at the plate and is compounded by its pitching staff.

And some players, like Terry, can bolster UCLA’s production from both ends of the field. In the Bruins’ most recent run-rule win, the sophomore not only recorded six strikeouts but also touched home twice.

“We have actually the biggest history of two-way players that pitch and hit and play another position,” Inouye-Perez said. “It’s a big part of our recruiting process, is to be able to get those types of players that could do both.”

With Big Ten competition looming, these ranked victories may set the Bruins apart from their competition – and not just in the form of a winning record. Although LSU will be UCLA’s closest-matched competitor this weekend – sitting below them in the national rankings by just two spots – the Bruins’ home runs outnumber the Tigers’ by more than double.

“We’re continuing to get better at different things and working on our plans, working on our approaches, getting prepared because we know we have every skill it takes,” said freshman infielder Aleena Garcia. “We’re all talented players, so continuing to master our craft.”