Huskies Rally Late But Fall To UCLA, 9-8

Saturday, April 1

Seattle, Wash.

4:00 PM

University of Washington

26-8, 0

UCLA

26-8, 0

UCLA

Washington

April 01, 2017 | Softball

Box Score Final Box

SEATTLE – The University of Washington Huskies scored eight runs against UCLA Saturday evening, four each in the fifth and sixth innings, but came up one run short in a 9-8 loss to the Bruins at Husky Softball Stadium.

Taylor Van Zee blasted a three-run home-run to center field in the fifth inning and ignited the Husky offense for a late rally. The junior led the team's offense, going 2-for-4 and collecting four RBIs.

The Pac-12 rivals were scoreless until the third inning when an RBI single started a four-run inning for the Bruins. An error allowed another base-runner to cross home plate. A single tacked on two more runs to give the Bruins a 4-0 advantage over the Huskies.

UCLA collected two more runs in the fifth inning off of solo home runs from Brianna Tautalafua and Rachel Garcia.

Down 6-0 in the bottom of the sixth, UW center fielder Kelly Burdick led off with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After Ali Aguilar grounded out, advancing Burdick to third, Kaija Gibson singled to plate Burdick and get the Huskies on the board. Morganne Flores was issued a walk and, with two runners on, Van Zee hit a bomb to lessen the Bruins lead to only two runs.

In the following inning, the Bruins' offense brought in three more runs to extend their lead once again. A two-run double and an RBI single give them a 9-4 lead.

The Husky offense did not let up, however. Four more runs came in during the bottom of the sixth inning, beginning with a single from Julia DePonte. After an Aguilar walk put two aboard, Kaija Gibson walked to load the bases with two outs. Morganne Flores singled to right field, bringing in two runs. Van Zee and Kirstyn Thomas each hit run-scoring singles to cut the Bruins' lead to one run at 9-8.

The Huskies loaded the bases in the seventh frame but were unable to bring in a run, falling to the Bruins for the second game in a row.

Washington will close out its series against UCLA at Husky Softball Stadium on Sunday, April 2 at 5 p.m. PT. Mike Brown will provide live audio through GoHuskies.com and the game will be aired live on the Pac-12 Network.