The UCLA softball team is right where it wants to be after advancing to the NCAA Super Regional this weekend.

The No. 12 Bruins travel to Oregon to face the No. 5 Ducks on Saturday and Sunday in a two out of three series. Saturday’s game will start at 6:30 p.m. and the game on Sunday will start at 4 p.m. If a game three is necessary it will begin at 7 p.m. on Sunday. The winner of the series advances to the NCAA championships.

The Bruins are led by leadoff hitter and college player of the year candidate Allexis Bennett. The energized outfielder would rather win a national championship than an individual award. “It’s cool to be nominated for that award but I have to give credit where credit is due and that’s to my coaches and teammates,” said Bennett. “The coaches have given me the opportunity to play for UCLA.”

Bennett continued to say, “UCLA is the best in the classroom and on the field. Attending UCLA was one of the best decisions I have made. I love UCLA.”

When you look into her light blue eyes you can tell she was born to play for the Bruins. “I play with passion and I am like the energizer bunny,” said Bennett. “I like to win but I also play the game to have fun and compete.”

Bennett leads the team with a .417 batting average followed by Kylee Perez at .400, Mysha Sataraka at .366, Delany Spaulding at .350, Madeline Jelenicki at .327 and Paige Halstead at .305.

Inside the pitching circle the Bruins rely on Selina Ta’amilo, Paige McDuffe and Johanna Grauer. Ta’amilo is 18-5 with 112 strikeouts, Grauer is 15-8 with 81 strikeouts and McDuffe is 5-0.

The NCAA playoffs started last week weekend when the Bruins hosted the Los Angeles Regional. Cal State University of Bakersfield, Cal State Fullerton and Fresno State joined the Bruins in a four-team double elimination tournament won by the Bruins. UCLA beat CSU Bakersfield last Friday, Fullerton on Saturday and Fullerton again on Sunday 5-4.

“I was not surprised that it came down to a one run game,” said UCLA head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez after the win over Fullerton on Sunday. “We are playing with a lot of passion and energy and we believe. It’s a big part of who we are. “