By Steve Finley
UCLA's Quest For National Championship Begins
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May 16, 2019
George Lasse
UCLA sophomore Kinsley Washington makes a play at second base against Arizona last week. Washington plays several different positions for the No. 2 ranked Bruins who start NCAA tournament play this weekend at home.
The No. 2 ranked UCLA softball team will start their journey to the softball College World Series this weekend when they host the Los Angeles Regionals on Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the UCLA campus. Three other teams will join the Bruins in the regionals.
Weber State, Cal State Fullerton and Missouri will battle each other in a double elimination regional tournament. The Bruins are 46-5, Weber State is 26-19 and Fullerton is 38-16 and Missouri 32-23.
The Bruins have not won a championship since 2010 but this season may be different because they have pitching depth. During the last few years they have relied on one pitcher but this season they have three. Their best pitcher is sophomore Rachel Garcia, followed by sophomore Holly Azevedo and freshman Megan Faraimo.
George Lasse
UCLA's leading home run hitter Bubba Nickles hits another one out of the park last Saturday against Arizona. The No.2 Bruins host the Los Angeles regional of the NCAA playoffs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. UCLA's first game is Friday at 8 p.m. against Weber State. Missouri and Cal State Fullerton are the other two teams in the regional.
The have always had offensive firepower and good defense so hopefully their pitching can get them to the top. "The team looks great," said volunteer assistant coach Kylee Perez. Perez knows what she is talking about. She graduated last season with a degree in history and she is one of the best players in UCLA softball history. She is in the top ten in six different offensive categories.
Perez likes what she sees in the 2019 Bruins. "They have the potential to win it all. They have the pitching and the hitting and the defense. They can do it. It's going to be up to them if they want to fight for it."
Perez has a special place in her heart for the team, her sister Briana is the starting shortstop for the Bruins. "I think she is doing awesome," said Kylee. "I love the way she plays and my favorite thing is to watch her play."
On the offensive side of the ball the Bruins will be led by Garcia, Briana Perez, Taylor Pack Aaliyah Jordan, Paige Halstead, Kelli Godin, Kinsley Washington and Bubba Nickles who leads the team in home runs.
The regionals start on Friday at 5:30 p.m. when Missouri takes on Cal State Fullerton. UCLA will face Weber State at 8 p.m.
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