Maya Brady hit two home runs on Monday as UCLA softball upset No. 1 seed Oklahoma, 7-3, in the first game of the NCAA Women’s College World Series semifinals. The two teams will play again this afternoon to see which school advances to the finals.
The No. 5-seeded Bruins were aggressive early at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium. Delanie Wisz, the third batter up for the Bruins, laced a two-run home run over the left field wall in the first inning.
UCLA’s Maya Brady (7) celebrates after a home run during the third inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Oklahoma on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
UCLA’s Maya Brady (7) is met by her team at home plate after a home run during the seventh inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Oklahoma on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. UCLA won 7-3. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
UCLA’s Megan Faraimo (8) pitches in the first inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Oklahoma on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
UCLA’s Holly Azevedo (4) and catcher Sara Rusconi Vicinanza, right, celebrate after defeating Oklahoma during an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. UCLA won 7-3. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
UCLA first baseman Delanie Wisz (97) celebrates after a home run during the first inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Oklahoma on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. UCLA won 7-3. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
UCLA’s Holly Azevedo (4) pitches in the seventh inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Oklahoma on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. UCLA won 7-3. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma’s Jayda Coleman (24) celebrates after a home run during the first inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against UCLA on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
UCLA’s Briana Perez (3) makes a catch for an out during the seventh inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Oklahoma on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. UCLA won 7-3. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
UCLA’s Maya Brady (7) celebrates with her team at home plate following a home run during the seventh inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against Oklahoma on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. UCLA won 7-3. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso, left, watches UCLA’s Megan Faraimo pitch in the third inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma’s Jayda Coleman (24) celebrates after a home run during the first inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against UCLA on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma’s Jordyn Bahl (98) pitches in the fourth inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against UCLA on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma’s Nicole May (19) pitches in the first inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against UCLA on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso, second from right, talks with her team during the fourth first inning of an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game against UCLA on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso watches her team play against UCLA during an NCAA softball Women’s College World Series game on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Oklahoma (56-3) countered the offensive attack with a home run from Jayda Coleman, the Sooners’ leadoff hitter, but were kept scoreless for the next two innings.
Maya Brady hit a three-run home run third inning to give UCLA (51-9) a 5-1 advantage and force an Oklahoma pitching change.
Jordy Bahl entered the circle for the Sooners, relieving Nicole May after two innings of work. Bahl, a freshman ace who has been battling a forearm injury since early May, came in to pitch 4 2/3 innings and gave up two hits while striking out four.
Tiare Jennings homered in the fourth inning to bring in two runs and cut the Bruins’ lead to 5-3. Holly Azevedo relieved Megan Faraimo at the start of the fifth inning and went on to throw three innings, yielding no runs, no hits and recording three strikeouts.
Brady hit her 17th home run of the season in the sixth inning and forced the if-necessary game.
