Saturday, May 21, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Trailing by a run to start the fourth inning, UCLA scored 10 unanswered runs in the final four frames to eliminate the JU softball team, 12-4, from NCAA Tournament in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday.

The Bruins (35-18) advance to play Florida tomorrow in the regional final with the help of two-run homers from Andrea Harrison and GiOnna DiSalvatore. They also added three runs with two outs in the fifth inning to keep the Dolphins (44-16) at the bay.

JU, who downed Bethune-Cookman earlier, took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning on a two-run single by sophomore Olivia Kline before UCLA started its comeback.

“This is a tough way to go out,” said JU head coach Amanda Lehotak. “UCLA is historically a strong team and they proved that today.

“Overall, I’m proud of the way our kids fought today and this year. This year is what we worked for more than five seasons so it was a fun the fruits of our labor we created. Our seniors will be sorely missed because they are the reason we are here in the NCAA Tournament.”

UCLA starter Donna Kerr (14-9) earned her second win against the Dolphins after allowing three unearned runs on two hits and two strikeouts in four innings. Harrison each drove in four runs to pace the Bruin offense.

Junior Sarah Sigrest (27-7) took the loss, allowing four runs on 10 hits and a strikeout in 3.2 innings. Kline and senior Jackie Samuels each logged in inning plus of relief.