The UCLA Bruins softball team is riding high after a strong showing in the Big Ten Tournament, climbing to No. 5 in the latest NFCA/GoRoute Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll. It's a testament to their grit and power at the plate—qualities any athlete would love to channel on game day.

UCLA dominated early in the tournament, crushing Penn State 6-1 and run-ruling Wisconsin in the semifinals before falling to No. 1 Nebraska in the championship. Despite the loss, the Bruins moved up one spot, while Nebraska surged to the top. The only other Big Ten team in the poll is No. 12 Oregon, which dropped after an early exit to Wisconsin.

With a stellar 47-8 overall record (20-4 in conference), UCLA has earned the No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will host California Baptist in the Regionals. Their offense has been nothing short of explosive, led by senior slugger Megan Grant, who boasts a team-leading slugging percentage of 1.345 as of May 12. Grant made history in the semifinals by tying the NCAA Division I single-season home run record, then broke it in the title game with her 38th homer of the year.

Not to be outdone, senior infielder Jordan Woolery was named the 2026 Big Ten Player of the Year. She leads the team with a .515 batting average, while Grant follows closely at .475. Woolery also sits second on the team in home runs with 33, making the Bruins a double threat at the plate.

As the NCAA Tournament kicks off, UCLA has a real shot at a deep run. Their first game is Friday at 7 p.m. PT at Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. Whether you're cheering from the stands or gearing up with your own game-day gear, this Bruins squad is one to watch.