Crack.

The ball went soaring, and with it, any doubts.

Another home run, another tally into the unblemished home record.

No. 9 UCLA softball (31-5, 11-2 Big Ten) bested Indiana (27-8, 7-3) 5-4 at Easton Stadium on Friday. The game kicked off a three-game series.

Sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp’s sixth inning home run sealed the deal, a welcome success after missing a critical catch that allowed two Indiana runners to reach home.

A double play to close out the top of the seventh inning sealed the deal. Strong defensive work throughout the night, including a tag out of Indiana pinch runner Peyton Drummond, who was attempting to steal second base helped UCLA keep its opponent to just four runs.

However, the defense faced some struggles as well.

While in the outfield, multiple slip-ups allowed runners to get onto bases and take free extra bases. Even if they did not forfeit runs in, it may be a warning sign for what might happen if the outfield lets dangerous hitters take advantage.

“They’re a pretty aggressive hitting team,” Slimp said.

And the Bruin offense also failed to capitalize on prime opportunities.

Senior utility Megan Grant’s foul out allowed two runners to advance to second and third in the bottom of the fifth inning. Infielders senior Jordan Woolery and sophomore Kaniya Bragg were both walked, bringing one runner in and leaving the bases loaded.

Yet, no other Bruin moved past that.

Freshman infielder Bri Alejandre struck out, ending the fifth inning.

The Bruins won for the second time this season after entering the sixth inning trailing. They came back from a deficit in the previous game as well, a day before playing against Hawaiʻi.

“We never let up and we play until the very last out,” said senior pitcher Taylor Tinsley. “This team doesn’t roll over for any other team. We stay to ourselves and we really compete.”

The Lawrenceville, Georgia local, who struck out five Hoosiers, said the deep bonds and trust the team has in each other have helped spearhead success.

“Even with struggles, I still believe in them.” Tinsley said. “I know that they have my back no matter what, and aside from softball, we’re all friends, we’re all human. I know that they’re always going to have me, and I’m always going to have them.”

That friendship on and off the field is important to all members of the historic program.

With a relatively young team, coming together and enjoying every moment is key.

And the players aren’t the only ones bonding.

“We brought up some wiffle ballers here on campus, to be able to have fun with it,” said coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. “And I was reminding them that it’s definitely fun to hit a ton of home runs, but it’s fun in general, competing together and that’s going to be our strength.”

And the Bruins also come together for the community.

The game was marked by bright green hair ties on the players, a nod to the Mental Health Awareness movement, and members of the program at UCLA were in attendance.

“It’s super important,” Slimp said. “Definitely more recently, mental health is being talked about more. Letting people know there’s an open space to put out what they’re going through, and that so many other people are going through the same thing.”

The message remains extremely relevant, especially for the young audiences in the crowd.

Multiple youth softball programs attended Friday night’s contest.

Once the seventh inning wrapped up, they piled against the barricade outside the clubhouse, waiting to meet and talk with their favorite players while asking for advice and getting autographs.

“The girls know that they’re role models and our job is to be able to create the dream for these younger athletes,” Inouye-Perez said. “It’s a responsibility and it’s a privilege to have all these younger players look up to them. The ability to be sociable and be thankful and give grace to the people that are here to support is something we love, especially at home.”

UCLA will continue the weekend series against Indiana on Saturday.