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UclanDoIt
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 3,919

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Bruins drub Sooners in game 1 of the WCWS 16-3
Posted Mon, Jun 03 7:40 pm
UCLA crushes Oklahoma in the first game of the WCWS 16-3. In a 1-1 game after 2 innings (solo homers by Jordan of UCLA and Knighten of Oklahoma), the Bruins took advantage of uncharacteristic errors by Oklahoma's defense in the 3rd inning to take a 3-1 lead.

Juarez was pulled after 4 innings (trailing 4-1) and the Bruins feasted on the remaining Sooner pitchers. I also felt assistant coach Lisa Fernandez called a brilliant game. Garcia had to be tired after her 179 pitch effort yesterday. Outside of the home run, Garcia effectively mixed up her pitches and was solid without being overpowering (she did not strike out any Sooner batters in her 5 innings). The offensive output was also important since it allowed Garcia to rest the last 2 innings and give Faraimo and Azevedo a chance to pitch.

It was also good to see Tautalafua break out of her long slump by hitting a towering home run. She smashed a hard grounder in her next at bat so hopefully this means she is out of her slump and will begin to hit once again. The Bruin offense becomes that much deeper when she is on.

You have to expect a better Oklahoma team will show up tomorrow. They are a strong team but if UCLA can maintain their offense and jump on Oklahoma early, they can take the air out of them and turn the Sooner Schooner into firewood.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,124
Horrible plate discipline by Sooners
Posted Mon, Jun 03 8:30 pm
In response to Bruins drub Sooners in game 1 of the WCWS 16-3 (UclanDoIt)
I think Rachel got into their heads early, because the Sooners just kept swinging early in the counts. The Bruins were a lot more patient at the plate and let the game come to them. And when the Sooners gave them the extra outs in the 3rd inning, the Bruins struck.

The thing about Juarez is that the Bruins know her REALLY well, since she played her first 3 years at ASU. First time through the order, a pitcher has the advantage if a team hasn't gone against them before. But, the Bruins seemed to know what to expect from her.

And the Bruins clobbered Lopez earlier in the season, and they did it tonight as well. Yet, the biggest inning came when the Sooners put their 3rd pitcher in the game to try and stem the bleeding. Nothing worked for the Sooners tonight.

I expect a different team tomorrow. But, Rachel threw less than 70 pitches tonight, so she will be good to go. Good to see both Megan and Holly get some reps as well (although Holly really labored out there to get the final 3 outs).

I saw that the Bruins scored 23 runs in their 2 games this season against OU, while in the other 60 games the Sooners only allowed 61 total runs. Hopefully, the Bruins now have OU psyched out and reeling. They weren't able to mount much offense at all against Rachel, and their vaunted defense broke down tonight as well. Indeed the Bruins need to jump on OU early, and take them mentally out of the game.
Finally
Joined: 2/07/09 Posts: 1,636
The amazing stat
Posted Mon, Jun 03 9:18 pm
In response to Horrible plate discipline by Sooners (Woochifer)
from tonight’ game with regards to Rachel Garcia’s pitching is that she had ZERO K’s! In fact the only Bruin pitcher to have a K was Acevedo.

If you would have told me before the game that Garcia would have zero K’s and the Bruins would go on to clobber the Sooners, I would have said you’re crazy.

The Bruins played long ball, small ball, and smart ball (on the base paths, slap hitting to different parts of the infield). Washington and Godin raised havoc all night long with their speed and barrel control.

It’s a one game season. Close it out tomorrow and don’t give any breath of life for the Sooners or their fans.
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,124
Might have been deliberate on OU's part
Posted Tue, Jun 04 8:30 am
In response to The amazing stat (Finally)
Their approach at the plate looked like they were swinging early, because they seemed to think that getting to Rachel early in the count was the way to go. That obviously didn't work. And that approach would also limit the number of K's.

My understanding is that in the late season series against Arizona, Rachel was going after the hitters and the Cats wound up going deep 4 times in that series. It almost seemed like OU thought Rachel was going to take a similar approach last night. But, after the coaches began calling Rachel's pitches during the Regional, I don't think you can scout out her tendencies anymore.
BradleyBruin
Joined: 2/03/07 Posts: 2,991
Payback for all those California girls...
Posted Tue, Jun 04 4:09 pm
In response to Bruins drub Sooners in game 1 of the WCWS 16-3 (UclanDoIt)
...that bailed out and went to Norman
UclanDoIt
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 3,919

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Tautalafua HR gives the Bruins a 4-3 lead after 5
Posted Tue, Jun 04 6:50 pm
In response to Bruins drub Sooners in game 1 of the WCWS 16-3 (UclanDoIt)
My hope that Tautalafua had broken out of her slump has been answered as she has blasted 2 HRs in this game. The latest has given the Bruins a 4-3 lead after 5. Garcia has not been sharp but now has the lead with 6 outs to go.
UclanDoIt
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 3,919

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Knighten 2 out HR ties game 4-4
Posted Tue, Jun 04 7:13 pm
In response to Tautalafua HR gives the Bruins a 4-3 lead after 5 (UclanDoIt)
What a game. Neither team is giving in. Garcia was 1 out away but Knighten hits a HR to tie the game. Time for the Bruins to get another walk off win for the title.
PDXBruin
Joined: 11/14/09 Posts: 224
WASHINGTON!!!
Posted Tue, Jun 04 7:22 pm
In response to Knighten 2 out HR ties game 4-4 (UclanDoIt)
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!
Woochifer
Joined: 12/15/11 Posts: 9,124
Knighten played on same AAU team with Rachel and Megan
Posted Tue, Jun 04 9:16 pm
In response to Knighten 2 out HR ties game 4-4 (UclanDoIt)
Rachel after the game talked about her friendship with Knighten and that particular play. I checked, and yes, Rachel, Shay, and Megan all played on the Corona Angels for AAU ball.

In much the same way that I think the Bruins' familiarity with Giselle Juarez was key to their offensive production against her, familiarity also contributed to Knighten nailing a pair of homers off of Rachel last night and tonight.
UclanDoIt
Joined: 1/13/14 Posts: 3,919

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Bruins win the title on a Washington single 5-4!
Posted Tue, Jun 04 7:28 pm
In response to Tautalafua HR gives the Bruins a 4-3 lead after 5 (UclanDoIt)
Kinsley Washington with the game winner!!! A two out base hit and a great slide by pinch runner Prober and the Bruins win the championship!

She has established her own legacy at UCLA - she no longer has to be known primarily as James Washington's daughter. James no doubt is very proud tonight.

What a game! Sports doesn't get any more exciting than this, two teams leaving it all on the field.
highdesertbro23
Joined: 10/27/14 Posts: 32
Gut Check
Posted Wed, Jun 05 9:50 am (Edited Wed, Jun 05 9:51 am)
In response to Tautalafua HR gives the Bruins a 4-3 lead after 5 (UclanDoIt)
I was yelling at the TV Sunday evening vs Washington for the coach to take Garcia out and save for Monday...she started to go down, but of course she helped hitting that HR.

Monday, the hitters saved them because she didn't have her best, but just one run in 5 innings, wow. Then last night, every inning she would be great like before, but then not sharp like you said. They kept saying about how she worked hard on body and mind for this, but my eyes and mind were worried...when she got out of that top 7 tied, was more proud of her than any game before. That was a great hitting team, she never pitched better than Sunday game, but Tuesday one will be the one she is remembered for!!!