The UCLA Bruins have wrapped up the regular season on a high note, landing at No. 6 in the latest NFCA/GoRout Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll—just one spot shy of the top five. Released on Tuesday, May 5, the poll reflects a tight race where every point counts.
After a tough series against No. 11 Oregon, the Bruins dropped one position, with back-to-back losses influencing the votes of 31 NCAA Division I head coaches. Despite the setback, UCLA boasts an impressive 45-7 overall record. Their season-ending blowout win over the Ducks helped them secure 595 points, trailing No. 5 Tennessee by just three points (598).
Offensively, the Bruins have been a force to reckon with. Senior infielder Jordan Woolery leads the charge with a sizzling .513 batting average, while senior utility player Megan Grant has been on fire with a staggering 1.326 slugging percentage. Their bats have kept UCLA in the conversation as one of the most dangerous lineups in the nation.
Defensively, the pitching staff has shown resilience. The trio of senior right-hander Taylor Tinsley, redshirt junior Sydney Somerndike, and sophomore Brynne Nally stepped up when it mattered most, holding Oregon to just three runs in an 11-3 run-rule victory on Senior Day. While the staff has had its shaky moments, this performance highlighted their potential heading into the postseason.
With the regular season in the rearview mirror, the Bruins now turn their attention to the Big Ten Tournament, which kicks off on Wednesday, May 6. UCLA enters as the No. 3 seed, trailing only No. 1 Nebraska and No. 2 Oregon. Both teams managed to win their series against the Bruins earlier this season, taking two of three matchups. The top four seeds—including No. 4 Indiana—will begin tournament play in the quarterfinal round on Thursday, May 7.
For UCLA, the path to a Big Ten title won't be easy, but their deep lineup and resilient pitching give them a fighting chance. As the postseason heats up, all eyes will be on the Bruins to see if they can make a run that matches their regular-season firepower.