Oregon defeated UCLA 8-2 on May 1 by scoring six runs in the top of the seventh inning at Easton Stadium.
The victory moves Oregon into a tie with UCLA for second place in the Big Ten Conference, trailing Nebraska by one and a half games. The win also ended UCLA’s 15-game winning streak and marked Oregon’s first victory at UCLA since 2019.
Stefini Ma’ake led Oregon’s offense with two home runs, while Elon Butler and Rylee McCoy each added a home run. Pitcher Elise Sokolsky limited UCLA to two runs on seven hits, allowing only one home run. Sokolsky improved her record to 8-2 this season and is undefeated since returning from injury on April 18. “These guys talked about the importance of starting fast, staying fast, and finishing fast,” said coach Melyssa Lombardi. “I thought Elise was brilliant on the mound. I thought our defense was excellent and just loved the timely hitting and, and the power that we showed throughout the lineup today.”
UCLA took an early lead in the first inning before Oregon responded with solo home runs from Butler and Ma’ake in the fifth to take a brief lead. The Bruins tied it again later that inning before Oregon broke through with six hits during their decisive seventh-inning rally. Emma Cox delivered an RBI single for the go-ahead run, followed by Ma’ake’s second homer of the game.
Reflecting on her performance at bat, Ma’ake said: “I think at the plate I was just saying hit the ball hard, it’s going to go somewhere, and I think my plan worked.” Sokolsky added: “I think my big goal was to go out there and just keep my team in it… whatever I could do to help my team.” Lombardi praised her team’s overall effort: “I thought they just stayed the course… all three cylinders were firing today.” First baseman Ma’ake commented further on Sokolsky’s pitching: “It doesn’t have to be a strikeout as long as you just trust your defense… It was kind of exciting to see her get so excited, and just do her ‘celly’ of ripping her mask off.”
The game featured several record-setting performances by Butler who tied school records for doubles (18) set in 1999 as well as total bases (138) set in 2007; she now shares or owns three single-season school records.
Game two between Oregon and UCLA is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
