LOS ANGELES — According to UCLA softball coach Kelly Inouye-Perez, the best thing about freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Terry is that she owns things. Her maturity, Inouye-Perez says, is so impressive that when mistakes do occur she remains undeterred and settles right back in.
Terry has proven techniques, but also adapts to each situation. And as Virginia Tech kept scoring runs, Terry stayed calm.
Her poise paid off as the sixth-seeded Bruins shook off an early 4-0 deficit to storm back and advance to the Los Angeles Regional final with a 7-6 walkoff victory on Savannah Pola’s RBI single Saturday at Easton Field.
The victory was the Bruins’ fifth comeback this season after trailing by four or more runs. They trailed 4-0 after two innings, only to take a 5-4 lead in the fifth on Maya Brady’s sacrifice fly.
They lost that advantage on a solo homer by the Hokies in the top of the fifth, then the Hokies took a 6-5 lead in the seventh that could have been worse if an obstruction call on catcher Sharlize Palacios wasn’t overturned upon review.
That set the stage for the Bruins (39-10) to manufacture another stunning victory. Megan Grant walked to lead off the frame. Pinch-runner Taylor Stephens came around on Jordan Woolery’s game-typing triple that nearly cleared the fence in right field. Liesl Osteen ran for Woolery and scored easily on Pola’s single to left to kick off the celebration.
Terry entered the game after Taylor Tinsley pitched 1 ⅓ innings and allowed four runs, three of which were earned. Terry quelled the Hokies’ bats, holding the Hokies at bay for two innings, which proved crucial as the Bruins offense used small ball to produce runs.
Thessa Malau’ulu and Janelle Meoño reached base to spark the offense in the third inning. Meoño beat out a high chopper to shortstop before Maya Brady loaded the bases with an infield single.
Grant followed by slapping a ground ball to second that was bobbled. Meoño came home and Brady read the error early to score from second and make it 4-2.
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In the bottom of the fourth, that anticipation to beat out grounders turned into patience to earn free bases.
Pola and Seneca Curo worked walks after being down in the count before advancing to second and third on a wild pitch. Malau’ulu then blooped a single that barely left the infield to tie the game at four.
Fittingly, Brady hit a sacrifice fly to give UCLA its first lead.