Sophomore Zoe Shaw drove in what proved to be the game-winning run in the second.
LOS ANGELES - Redshirt freshman Rachel Garcia struck out three in a five-hit, complete-game shutout on Friday at Easton Stadium, while an RBI single by sophomore Zoe Shaw and a solo homer by junior Madeline Jelenicki proved to be the only offense the Bruins needed in No. 9 UCLA's 2-0 victory over No. 1 Oregon, preventing them from a record-setting 36-0 start.
The Bruins improved to 27-9 overall and 3-4 in Pac-12 play, while sending the Ducks to their first loss of the season (35-1, 8-1).
Garcia allowed just one runner to reach third base throughout the entire contest, retiring the final 11 batters of the game, as well as the side in order in the second. She did not walk a batter in improving to 11-4 on the season. The Bruins had five hits from five different players.
The Bruins drew first blood in the second. Garcia posted a one-out single up the middle and moved to second when freshman Bubba Nickles was hit by a pitch. One out later, Shaw singled through the 3-4 hole to score Garcia to put UCLA ahead 1-0.
Shout out to our 1999 Bruins...2017 Bruins have your back and hold the NCAA record in OUR house! Proud of our Bruin Softball fight
— Kelly Inouye-Perez (@Coach_Inouye) April 8, 2017
The first pitch of the bottom of the fourth doubled the Bruins' lead, as Jelenicki launched one just inside the left-field fair pole for her ninth homer of the season to make it 2-0.
Oregon had baserunners in three of the first four innings, but were unable to come home, stranding six. With runners at third and first and two outs in the fourth, the Ducks' best chance was thwarted on a fly out to center to end the inning.
The Bruins and the Ducks continue their series on Saturday at 7 p.m., which will be broadcast live on Pac-12 Network.
