Dawgs Strike Early But Fall 6-1 To #2 UCLA

Apr 24, 2021

LOS ANGELES – The #4 Washington Huskies fell 6-1 to the #2 UCLA Bruins in the non-conference matchup of the weekend series. Baylee Klingler's solo home run was Washington's lone run in the game.

The Huskies are 35-8 overall on the year after splitting today's doubleheader. Washington is 13-3 in Pac-12 play with one more conference game to play this weekend against UCLA, tomorrow at 1:00 pm.

Klingler had two hits in the game, including her solo homer. SilentRain Espinoza went a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate. Sami Reynolds reached twice as well, with a double and a walk. Megan Vandegrift had a pinch-hit single in the seventh, her second hit of the season.

Sarah Willis threw 4.2 strong innings for the Huskies before ceding the circle to Pat Moore. Willis set a new career high with four strikeouts and allowed only one unearned run in the first four innings before a string of UCLA hits in the fifth ended her day. Willis also managed a hit at the plate, her second collegiate hit. Moore finished the game out with 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one baserunner.

T1 | Make it FIFTEEN homers this year for Klingler! She's good!

UW 1
UCLA 0

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??https://t.co/qlpbR9lJaX #MightyAreTheWomen pic.twitter.com/mvqrPPaLVN

— Washington Softball (@UWSoftball) April 25, 2021

		SCORING
First Inning: Klingler hit her second home run of the day after doing so in game one as well, teeing off on a solo shot on just the fifth pitch of game two. UCLA would tie it back up on a throwing error. Fifth Inning: UCLA strung together a few hits, taking a 4-1 lead as it managed four hits in the inning, all singles. A two-run home run stretched the UCLA lead to 6-1.

		NOTES
Klingler (2x4, HR) became the second player in the Pac-12 to hit 15 home runs this season. This was the sixth time this year Klingler has homered in back-to-back games. Klingler's seven home runs in Pac-12 play lead the conference, as do her 19 RBI. Espinoza (2x2) set a new career high in hits, recording her 34th and 35th hits of the year. Willis (4.2 IP, 2 BB, 4 K) set a new career high in strikeouts, throwing 4+ innings for the third time.

Washington and UCLA finish the series tomorrow at 1:00 pm on ESPN2.

Make sure to follow the Huskies on social media at @UWSoftball.