The year is 1980.
UCLA’s softball program, helmed by now-Hall of Famers head coach Sharron Backus and assistant coach Sue Enquist, is just in its sixth year of existence.

No. 2 seed UCLA softball is headed to West Lafayette, Indiana, for the Big Ten tournament semifinals. UCLA will begin play Friday morning against No. 3 seed Nebraska.

This post was updated May 6 at 8:30 p.m.
The gray clouds that hung above Easton Stadium on Sunday seemingly foretold the Bruins’ gloomy fate in their regular season finale.

This post was updated April 29 at 10:45 p.m.
The Bruins brandished the brooms this weekend.
Even still, the sweep was far from clean.
With an undefeated three-game series win over Michigan (32-18, 9-10 Big Ten) at Carol Hutchins Stadium, No.

Opening weeks often start sluggishly.
But Bruin softball has burst into the season with fire.
In its first game following a two-game sweep of then-No. 22 Ohio State, No.

Homecoming homers.
Homers away from home.
Regardless of the venue, the Bruins’ bats have been blistering as of late.
With a 12-0 run-rule victory against Loyola Marymount (8-17) at Smith Field on Sunday, No.

Commanding victories mixed with narrow losses defined the Bruins’ weekend.
Despite falling to two ranked opponents, No. 4 UCLA softball (18-4) went 4-2 in the Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, California, highlighted by a 2-1 defeat to No.

A five-game winning streak that kickstarted the Bruins’ season will be put to the test this weekend.
No. 4 UCLA softball (5-0) will go head-to-head against five teams this weekend across the three-day Shriners Clearwater Invitational, three of which are ranked in the top 25.