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No. 4 UCLA offense erupts late, run rules No. 14 Nebraska

Screenshot 2024-07-31 at 7.46.34 PMby:Brady Vernon•02/21/25•

BradyVernon

Screenshot 2025-02-20 at 11.08.22 PM
Crash Kamon/Softball America

Taylor Tinsley had a rough weekend in Clearwater last year but similar to last season, she responded very well. Tinsley struck out eight batters in No. 4 UCLA’s 9-1 win over No. 14 Nebraska.

Tinsley commanded the strike zone early. After a walk to open the game, the junior righty struck out Jordy Bahl and Samantha Bland in back-to-back at-bats with her riseball. Tinsley allowed a run before she surrendered a hit.

Tinsley started to use her changeup more and more later in the game. That mixture of speeds didn’t translate to more Ks but a lot of rollover outs and mishits fly balls. She also worked around four walks to hold Nebraska to one run.

Nebraska tied the game in the third on a walk and Bahl reached after striking out a second time to put runners on the corners. Bland drove in the game-tying run with a sacrifice fly.

Truthfully, the Cornhuskers are probably kicking themselves knowing they had a good pitching performance without Jordy Bahl in the circle. Hannah Camenzind allowed one hit in her 3.1 innings of work but it was a big one. UCLA shortstop Aleena Garcia found a gap for a two-out RBI triple. The Bruins also manufactured a run in the fourth inning leading to Camenzind’s exit. Garcia added an RBI double in the sixth.

Kylee Magee replaced Camenzind on the rubber but the Arizona State transfer’s early season struggles continued. The Bruins took advantage of a free pass in the fifth to tack on a pair of insurance runs. UCLA center fielder Jessica Clements perfectly bounced one over Bland’s head at third base to drive in two after Savannah Pola’s double the at-bat before. UCLA’s five-run sixth inning forced the run rule.

There are positives from Camenzind’s start as figuring out the pitching behind Bahl is a big priority. Although Magee’s performance is somewhat concerning. Nevertheless, the ace should get the ball again when Nebraska takes on Duke on Friday. Meanwhile, UCLA opens its Mary Nutter gauntlet with two wins having beat Missouri earlier Thursday. Megan Grant did leave the game for the Bruins, we’ll need to monitor that for the rest of the weekend.

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