One play can transform the trajectory of a game.

And the Bruins made that play.

No. 8 UCLA softball (34-5, 13-2 Big Ten) took down Cal State Fullerton (24-12, 13-2 Big West) 13-11 on Tuesday in Fullerton, California. The Westwood squad increased its winning streak to five games and will continue its season against Illinois from Friday through Sunday.

The squad started off hot in the top of the first inning, with senior utility Megan Grant knocking a two-run homer in only the second at-bat of the game. The bases were loaded three walks later, and the Titans switched pitchers.

Redshirt junior catcher Alexis Ramirez stepped up to the plate and sent one flying over the left field fence, bringing in four runs. UCLA mounted a 6-0 lead, but Cal State Fullerton countered quickly.

Freshman pitcher/utility Natalie Cable, who boasts an 8-1 record despite holding a 6.31 ERA, started her 12th game of the season. Cable allowed five hits and six runs in the bottom of the first, which evened the score to 6-6.

“It was a good back and forth,” said senior infielder Jordan Woolery. “It always makes a good opportunity for us to come out playing, keep our two things sharp. It was a great challenge for us, especially as we head into this weekend.”

UCLA Athletics did not provide interview availability for coach Kelly Inouye-Perez after the Tuesday game.

The Bruins and Titans were knotted through the second inning, with the Bruins scoring off a double from freshman infielder Bri Alejandre. Cal State Fullerton’s score came from a homer off Cable, leading to UCLA’s first pitching change of the night. Sophomore pitcher Brynne Nally came in, retiring three of the next four batters.

During UCLA’s last series against Indiana, the squad broke the program single-season home run record. UCLA is hitting .379 and has recorded 116 homers this season, blasting another four-bagger in the top of the third.

Freshman utility Jolyna Lamar knocked her seventh homer of the season over the left field fence, bringing in two runs. The Titans countered with two runs of their own before the Bruins changed pitchers once more, putting in redshirt junior Sydney Somerndike.

The Bruins allowed two more runs after the pitching change, sending the Titans into the fourth inning with an 11-9 lead. Both squads were held scoreless across the next two frames.

But UCLA’s comeback began in the top of the sixth.

Redshirt freshman infielder Aleena Garcia, who was named Softball America’s Defender of the Week, opened the sixth with a home run to bring the score to 11-10 before the Bruins sustained three straight outs.

Senior pitcher Taylor Tinsley – who entered the game in the fourth inning – did not allow any hits in the sixth, which culminated in a double play.

“I think we were able to take it (the double play) into the next inning for sure,” Woolery said. “Defense translates to offense, especially when we make a good play at the end. It was really important to get that double play and get the bats going into the seventh inning.”

Woolery, who leads the squad with a .509 batting average, stepped up to the plate with sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp on second and smashed a triple, bringing in the runner and evening the score.

And sophomore infielder Kaniya Bragg stepped up to the plate. Bragg – who had been walked three times already in the matchup – hammered a two-run homer over the right field fence, giving the Bruins their first lead since the third inning.

“Sometimes when I’m not at my best, I tend to think a lot,” Bragg said. “So before my at-bat, my coaches just told me to relax and stay true to who I am. Going into the box, I tried to feel as relaxed as I could.”

The squad closed out the game with a three-up, three-down bottom of the seventh to seal the victory.

UCLA returns to Big Ten play against Illinois on Friday through Sunday at Eichelberger Field.