Megan Grants 40th homer powers UCLA softball over South Carolina
The bases were loaded with nobody out and nowhere to put UCLA’s Megan Grant when she stepped to the plate in the fifth inning.Searching for an answer against the most feared slugger in college softball, South Carolina made a pitching change.It made no difference.Grant rocketed the third pitch over the wall in left-center field Sunday evening for a grand slam and a nicely rounded number for the game’s home run queen.Grant’s 40th homer of the season extended her NCAA record and provided the Bruins plenty of breathing room on the way to a 15-1, six-inning run-rule victory over the Gamecocks in the deciding game of the NCAA Tournament Regional at Easton Stadium.The triumph propelled UCLA (50-8) to a Super Regional next week against Central Florida back at the Bruins’ home stadium.The best-of-three series starts at 6 p.m.
PDT on Friday.Grant’s teammates poured out of the dugout to mob her in celebration of her second homer of the regional.With a runner on third base, Grant said she was trying to hit any pitch that was elevated into the air.She did better than that, notching the 89th homer of her career — one short of Stacey Nuveman’s school record of 90.“I mean, it’s incredible,” Grant said.
“I’m just honestly blessed to be able to say the number 40, you know?”The blast gave UCLA a 6-0 lead before the Gamecocks (32-28) finally broke through with a run in the bottom of the inning against ace Taylor Tinsley.Stepping to the plate with the bases loaded in the sixth inning, Grant ripped a two-run single up the middle, giving her six RBIs on the day.Jordan Woolery followed with a two-run double down the left field line as part of the Bruins’ nine-run inning that featured two homers and five extra-base hits.In her third start in as many games in the regional, Tinsley (30-6) produced her most dominant performance.
She gave up two hits and one run while pitching her second complete game in as many days, with two strikeouts and two walks.UCLA’s ath...