UCLA softball outlasts Ole Miss in 11 innings

An RBI single from Madeline Jelenicki in the 11th inning sealed UCLA’s thrilling 8-7 win over Mississippi in the NCAA Super Regional on Thursday after the Bruins came back twice on their last out at Easton Stadium.

READ: UCLA wins Super Regional opener with walk-off

Bubba Nickles rescued the Bruins with a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the 10th inning that answered a two-run single from Ole Miss in the top of the frame. Delaney Spaulding‘s run scored on a wild pitch with two outs extended the game in the seventh inning.

Pitcher Rachel Garcia went from no-hitter to near-disaster in the sixth inning when she gave up five runs that erased UCLA’s early four-run lead. The redshirt freshman threw a career-high 232 pitches in 11 innings, while giving up career-worsts in walks (five), hits (11) and runs (seven). Her 12 strikeouts are a career-best.

UCLA can clinch its third straight Women’s College World Series berth with a win Friday at 6 p.m. at Easton Stadium.