Pure domination defined the Bruins’ start to the 2026 campaign.

After a lead off home run from sophomore left fielder Rylee Slimp to start the day, No. 7 UCLA Softball (2-0) outscored its opponents 28-2 to open its season against UC Santa Barbara and Northern Colorado on Friday. Both games at Easton Stadium lasted just five innings because of the mercy rule.

UCSB second baseman Jazzy Santos hammered the first pitch of the game to right-center field, but that was one of the few signs of life for UCSB through the rest of the game.

Senior pitcher Taylor Tinsley started on the mound for the Bruins in game one, allowing just six hits and one run.

Slimp homered on a 3-2 count as the first batter in the lineup and hit a triple on her next plate appearance. She finished with three hits on the day, tallying four runs batted in. Taking on the lead off spot represented a novel role.

“I think it’s honestly super freeing just knowing that I have such a great lineup behind me … as a lead off (hitter), you’re just trying to have a good at-bat,” Slimp said.

Senior first baseman Jordan Woolery finished the day with nine RBIs and six hits across both games.

Woolery rounded the bases with home runs in both games, joining a group of five Bruins who all went deep Friday night.

Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez focused on ensuring that every athlete gave their all.

“Do you have a strong belief in your preparation? And ultimately, did you give effort?” Inouye-Perez said. “You could feel our energy in the dugout and on the field, so we kind of covered all parts of what we were really focusing on tonight.”

Freshman Natalie Cable took the mound in game two, marking her collegiate debut. The two-time Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 15 6A Player of the Year in high school only allowed three hits and one run in her complete-game outing.

Sophomore catcher Sofia Mujica sat behind the plate for Cable, taking over for redshirt junior Alexis Ramirez, who started in game one. The lineup stayed the same in both contests besides the catcher swap.

Mujica blasted two home runs in her first two at-bats, which allowed the newly added light show at Easton Stadium to illuminate the field.

“I see some other girls go deep. This is the vibe for tonight,” Mujica said. “We’re going for some long balls. So I think it definitely fueled my energy and put the brewing magic in the air.”

Senior utility and dual-sport athlete Megan Grant joined the party with a two-run home run in the third inning. UCLA women’s basketball players were in attendance for the first game, cheering on and supporting their teammate.

“It means a lot. It is … Bruin culture,” said Inouye-Perez, “We call it the ‘Bruin Bubble.’ But to be able to have those other athletes all support, there’s been a lot of crossover, starting from fall and Megan playing for the basketball team, that’s a whole different layer.”

UCLA may carry its opening-night dominance into the rest of the weekend slate, as the squad will take on Oregon State and Utah on Saturday at the Mark Campbell Invitational in Irvine, California.

“The exciting part for us is that the program is respected … being able to really put ourselves in a position to represent the four letters,” Inouye-Perez said.