UCLA defeated Arizona 3-2 on Friday night at Easton Stadium to sweep the Los Angeles Super Regional and advance to the Women's College World Series.
Arizona's season came to and end in the Super Regionals for the fifth consecutive season. UA finished the season with a 43-16 record. The Wildcats took an early 2-0 lead on an Alyssa Palomino homer in the first, but single runs by the Bruins in the second, third and fourth innings gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead that they would not relinquish.
Taylor McQuillin took the loss for Arizona, pitching seven innings and allowing three runs on eight hits with five walks and four strikeouts. McQuillin finished her junior season 28-12. The first-team all-conference and all-region performer ends her season as the nation's leader with 15 shutouts, though that total may be equaled or bettered in the final two weeks of NCAA softball.
For the second straight night, Rachel Garcia earned the win for UCLA. She gave up two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts. Garcia, one of four finalists for USA Softball Player of the Year improved to 27-3 on the season.
UCLA tied the game in the top of the third with a two-out, two-strike single to left by Bubba Nickles and then took the lead in the top of the fourth with another two-out, two-strike single from Aaliyah Jordan.
