UCLA folds late during loss at Women’s College World Series

In the battle between elite pitching and mighty offense, the long ball ruled.

Alabama’s long ball.

Upstaging the most prolific offense in college softball history, the Crimson Tide blasted two late home runs to rally past UCLA for a 6-3 victory in their Women’s College World Series opener.

After rebounding from a shaky start with three consecutive scoreless innings, UCLA pitcher Taylor Tinsley couldn’t sustain the momentum Thursday against Alabama. Brett Rojo-Imagn Images

After rebounding from a shaky start with three consecutive scoreless innings Thursday at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Bruins ace Taylor Tinsley couldn’t sustain the momentum.

Alabama’s Alexis Pupillo crushed a two-run homer in the fifth inning to tie the score at 3 before Brooke Wells blasted a three-run homer in the sixth.

That more than offset back-to-back homers from UCLA’s Rylee Slimp and Megan Grant in the third inning that had given the Bruins a 3-1 lead.

Grant followed Slimp’s two-run homer off Crimson Tide ace Jocelyn Briski on a two-out, full-count rise ball with a solo shot on a drop ball, momentarily erasing the Bruins’ one-run deficit.

Grant’s homer extended her NCAA single-season record to 41 and was the 90th of her four seasons, pulling her into a tie with Stacey Nuveman for the UCLA career record.

It wasn’t enough for the Bruins (52-9) against a team that was about to unleash its own homer barrage.

What it means

UCLA faces a steep uphill climb after falling into the losers bracket, one loss away from elimination.

Turning point

With Tinsley (32-7) cruising into the fifth inning, Alabama leadoff hitter Jena Young drew a four-pitch walk and came home on Pupillo’s one-out homer.

The Crimson Tide (55-7) had tied the score and were on their way.

MVP: Jocelyn Briski

Midway through the game, things did not look good for Briski, the SEC Pitcher of the Year who entered the game with a minuscule 1.30 ERA.

A smiling female softball player in an Alabama uniform holds her glove and face mask on a dirt field. — Crimson Tide ace Jocelyn Briski allowed six hits and three runs to defeat UCLA on Thursday at the Women’s College World Series. Brett Rojo-Imagn Images

But after initially appearing overmatched by UCLA’s sluggers, Briski (24-3) rebounded with four consecutive scoreless innings to end the game. Briski allowed six hits and three runs. She struck out nine and walked none.

“She just had really good stuff today,” Grant said, “and we tried to compete as much as we could against her.”

Did you see that?

UCLA’s Kaniya Bragg was forced to leave the game in the third inning after slipping on her swing when she delivered the first hit off Briski.

Bragg, who was already gritting it out after suffering a leg injury against Central Florida last weekend, limped to first base on her single down the right field line. She was replaced by pinch-runner Mia Phillips before reentering to hit in the seventh inning.

Inoyue-Perez said Bragg would be ready to play in the Bruins’ next game.