The story of the Bruins’ season has been home runs and high-scoring games.

But with a 3-1 lead entering the bottom of the fifth inning, this game looked to be an exception.

Then, sophomore infielder Kaniya Bragg stepped up to the plate, and with players on first and second base, she sent a ball into the trees behind Easton Stadium.

No. 8 seed UCLA softball (51-8, 20-4 Big Ten) defeated UCF 9-1 in the first game of the NCAA Super Regionals at Easton Stadium on Friday evening. The victory marked the Bruins’ 29th win this year in run-rule fashion.

The first inning was a quick one, with UCLA’s defense forcing a three-up, three-out frame. The Knights had similar defensive success, as pitcher Ava Stuewe faced just four batters in the first.

The Bruins plated their first run in the second inning, when freshman infielder Bri Alejandre blasted her 23rd home run of the season. Alejandre is one of eight Bruins to have double-digit four-baggers in the year.

“I told them after fall ball, they’re no longer freshmen and sophomores – they’re Bruins,” coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. “The ability to stay connected, we use words like buy-in, they trust the process. This is a young team that definitely is doing a great job of sticking with the coaches, with the game plan.”

Senior pitcher Taylor Tinsley did not allow a hit until the fourth inning, when infielder Aubrey Evans doubled on a hit that ricocheted off the outfield fence. Tinsley is the only Bruin pitcher with a sub-5.74 ERA, boasting a 3.00 clip.

UCLA started to achieve plate success in the bottom of the fourth, with junior utility Soo-Jin Berry’s ground out plating Alejandre. Redshirt junior utility Ramsey Suarez stepped up to the plate next, and she hit a ball that fell right down the left field line, bringing in Bragg.

The Knights entered the top of the fifth in a three-run deficit when infielder Sierra Humphreys rocketed a hit over the scoreboard, which was only the second hit the Bruins had allowed at that point. But the Bruins ended the inning four batters later.

Tinsley concluded the game with three hits allowed and recorded two strikeouts. The home run hit off her pitch was the 28th against the senior pitcher this season. And her circle victory marked her 31st of the season – good for the second-most victories in the country.

“I’m working for them, and I know that they’re going to have my back and lay it all out on the line for me no matter what,” Tinsley said. “We all just feed off each other. They feed off my energy as well as I feed off of theirs. We’re all really connected in that way.”

Inouye-Perez’s squad hits at a .384 clip, which ranks third in the nation. And with all nine players from Friday’s starting lineup hitting at least .326, the whole batting order is a threat.

And the Bruins showcased their plate prowess in the fifth inning.

Redshirt freshman infielder Aleena Garcia and Alejandre were both hit by pitches to open the inning.

And Bragg’s home run brought in three runs, extending the Bruin advantage to 6-1. Bragg’s four-bagger was her 18th of the season, the fifth-highest mark on the squad.

With players on first and third, sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp could end the game with a home run to clinch the run-rule victory. Slimp, the Bruins’ leadoff hitter, did not fumble the opportunity. Her three-run four-bagger marked her 16th home run of the season, and she also recorded her nation-high 94th run.

“All I was trying to do in that moment was pass the ball on to Meg (senior utility Megan Grant) and Jo (senior infielder Jordan Woolery),” Slimp said. “But it’s also really cool to end the game, especially for Tins (Tinsley), who’s working so hard for us.”

Despite the Knights pitching staff allowing just five hits, the three home runs were the difference makers. The Westwood squad has an opportunity to close the series Saturday and advance to its third-straight Women’s College World Series.