Opening weeks often start sluggishly.
But Bruin softball has burst into the season with fire.
In its first game following a two-game sweep of then-No. 22 Ohio State, No.

This post was updated April 8 at 12:39 a.m.
The Bruins are halfway through their Big Ten schedule.
And while No. 8 UCLA softball (36-5, 9-1 Big Ten) is still playing at full speed, it did take some time during its two-game sweep over No.

Few things shift a game faster than a pitcher who owns the circle or a batter who can change a narrative in one swing.
But when a team has players who can do both – it has struck gold.

This post was updated April 3 at 11:48 p.m.
Big and small moments alike have long been affectionately attributed to “Bruin magic” by UCLA softball players and coaches.

An offensive spark can sometimes lead a team to victory.
But a strong defense is what wins ball games.
Bouncing back from its recent loss against Iowa, No.

There are bound to be peaks and valleys in a 56-game regular season.
And after a pair of nine-game Bruin win streaks plus a 7-3 record against top-25 teams, it seemed like a trough was due.

After the graduation of former Bruins Maya Brady and Sharlize Palacios, someone needed to fill the glaring holes created by their departures.
And with a loaded junior class and top-ranked freshman recruits, question marks surrounded Brady and Palacios’ successors.