# 2023 UCLA Bruins softball team

The 2023 UCLA Bruins softball team represented the University of California, Los Angeles in the 2023 NCAA Division I softball season. The Bruins were coached by Kelly Inouye-Perez, in her seventeenth season. The Bruins played their home games at Easton Stadium and competed in the Pac-12 Conference.

## Previous season

The Bruins finished the 2022 season 51–10 overall, and 19–5 in the Pac-12 Conference, finishing in second place in their conference. Following the conclusion of the regular season, the Bruins received an at-large bid to the 2022 NCAA Division I softball tournament where they advanced to the semifinals of the Women's College World Series, before being eliminated by eventual tournament champion Oklahoma.

## Offseason

In August 2022, assistant head coaches Lisa Fernandez and Kirk Walker were promoted to associate head coaches.

## Preseason
### Award watch lists

| Award | Player | Position | Year |
| USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year | Maya Brady | Utility | Redshirt Junior |
| USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year | Megan Faraimo | Pitcher | Redshirt Senior |
| USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year | Sharlize Palacios | Catcher | Redshirt Junior |

## Schedule

2023 UCLA Bruins softball game log :
Regular season (50–4) :
February (17–1) :
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall Record | Pac-12 Record |
| February 9 | Cal State Fullerton Stacy Winsberg Tournament | No. 2 | Easton Stadium Los Angeles, CA | 3–0 | Faraimo (1–0) | Rainey (0–1) | — | 673 | 1–0 | – |
| February 10 | Cal State Bakersfield Stacy Winsberg Tournament | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 18–1 $^{(5)}$ | Shaw (1–0) | Kennedy (0–1) | — | 755 | 2–0 | – |
| February 11 | Loyola Marymount Stacy Winsberg Tournament | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 11–0 $^{(5)}$ | Yanez (1–0) | Caymol (0–1) | — | 983 | 3–0 | – |
| February 11 | Cal State Bakersfield Stacy Winsberg Tournament | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 8–0 $^{(5)}$ | Tinsley (1–0) | Martinez (0–1) | — | 1,075 | 4–0 | – |
| February 12 | San Diego Stacy Winsberg Tournament | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 14–0 $^{(5)}$ | Faraimo (2–0) | Giaime (0–1) | — | 450 | 5–0 | – |
| February 12 | San Diego Stacy Winsberg Tournament | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 5–2 | Faraimo (3–0) | Tadlock (0–1) | — | 517 | 6–0 | – |
| February 14 | Liberty | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 3–2 | Faraimo (4–0) | Bachman (1–2) | — | 250 | 7–0 | – |
| February 16 | vs. Nebraska TaxAct Clearwater Invitational | No. 2 | Eddie C. Moore Complex Clearwater, FL | 8–0 $^{(6)}$ | Yanez (2–0) | Harness (1–1) | — | 2,518 | 8–0 | – |
| February 17 | vs. Alabama TaxAct Clearwater Invitational | No. 2 | Eddie C. Moore Complex | 5–3 | Faraimo (5–0) | Fouts (2–1) | — | — | 9–0 | – |
| February 18 | vs. No. 6 Florida State TaxAct Clearwater Invitational | No. 2 | Eddie C. Moore Complex | 6–4 | Faraimo (6–0) | Sandercock (2–1) | — | — | 10–0 | – |
| February 18 | vs. No. 8 Virginia Tech TaxAct Clearwater Invitational | No. 2 | Eddie C. Moore Complex | 8–4 | Yanez (3–0) | Peck (1–1) | — | — | 11–0 | – |
| February 19 | vs. Louisiana TaxAct Clearwater Invitational | No. 2 | Eddie C. Moore Complex | 4–3 | Faraimo (7–0) | Schorman (2–2) | — | 1,032 | 12–0 | – |
| February 23 | vs. No. 3 Florida Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic | No. 1 | Big League Dreams Complex Cathedral City, CA | 10–0 $^{(6)}$ | Faraimo (8–0) | Trlicek (4–1) | — | — | 13–0 | – |
| February 24 | vs. No. 18 Kentucky Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic | No. 1 | Big League Dreams Complex | 6–3 | Yanez (4–0) | Harrison (1–1) | Faraimo (1) | — | 14–0 | – |
| February 24 | vs. Iowa Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic | No. 1 | Big League Dreams Complex | 2–1 | Faraimo (9–0) | Adams (2–2) | — | — | 15–0 | – |
| February 25 | vs. No. 19 Northwestern Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic | No. 1 | Big League Dreams Complex | 2–1 | Yanez (5–0) | Supple (1–2) | — | — | 16–0 | – |
| February 25 | vs. Texas A&M Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic | No. 1 | Big League Dreams Complex | 3–0 | Tinsley (2–0) | Kennedy (3–1) | — | — | 17–0 | – |
| February 26 | vs. No. 2 Oklahoma Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic | No. 1 | Big League Dreams Complex | 0–14 $^{(5)}$ | Storako (4–0) | Faraimo (9–1) | — | — | 17–1 | – |
March (13–3) :
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall Record | Pac-12 Record |
| March 3 | vs. UCF Judi Garman Classic | No. 2 | Anderson Family Field Fullerton, CA | 2–1 | Yanez (6–0) | Jewell (2–2) | — | — | 18–1 | – |
| March 3 | vs. Fresno State Judi Garman Classic | No. 2 | Anderson Family Field | 8–1 | Faraimo (10–1) | Neiss (1–3) | — | — | 19–1 | – |
| March 4 | vs. Cal Poly Judi Garman Classic | No. 2 | Anderson Family Field | 16–0 $^{(5)}$ | Tinsley (3–0) | Ramuno (5–3) | — | — | 20–1 | – |
| March 4 | vs. Michigan Judi Garman Classic | No. 2 | Anderson Family Field | 8–0 $^{(5)}$ | Faraimo (11–1) | LeBeau (5–5) | — | — | 21–1 | – |
| March 5 | at Cal State Fullerton Judi Garman Classic | No. 2 | Anderson Family Field | 6–2 | Yanez (7–0) | Miranda (3–3) | — | — | 22–1 | – |
| March 7 | Howard | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 4–0 | Tinsley (4–0) | Weber (1–4) | Faraimo (2) | 1,086 | 23–1 | – |
| March 10 | at California | No. 2 | Levine-Fricke Field Berkeley, CA | 4–0 | Yanez (8–0) | Archer (5–2) | — | 693 | 24–1 | 1–0 |
| March 11 | at California | No. 2 | Levine-Fricke Field | 0–8 $^{(5)}$ | Halajian (2–1) | Tinsley (4–1) | — | 832 | 24–2 | 1–1 |
| March 12 | at California | No. 2 | Levine-Fricke Field | 10–1 $^{(6)}$ | Yanez (9–0) | Archer (6–3) | — | 849 | 25–2 | 2–1 |
| March 14 | Syracuse | No. 3 | Easton Stadium | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| March 17 | No. 10 Washington | No. 3 | Easton Stadium | 3–4 | Meylan (10–1) | Yanez (9–1) | — | 1,085 | 25–3 | 2–2 |
| March 18 | No. 10 Washington | No. 3 | Easton Stadium | 4–0 | Faraimo (12–1) | Lynch (5–2) | — | 1,117 | 26–3 | 3–2 |
| March 19 | No. 10 Washington | No. 3 | Easton Stadium | 10–2 $^{(6)}$ | Faraimo (13–1) | Meylan (10–2) | — | 943 | 27–3 | 4–2 |
| March 24 | at No. 19 Oregon | No. 3 | Jane Sanders Stadium Eugene, OR | 0–3 | Scott (5–3) | Faraimo (13–2) | — | 1,655 | 27–4 | 4–3 |
| March 25 | at No. 19 Oregon | No. 3 | Jane Sanders Stadium | 7–4 | Faraimo (14–2) | Hansen (12–4) | — | 1,989 | 28–4 | 5–3 |
| March 26 | at No. 19 Oregon | No. 3 | Jane Sanders Stadium | 4–0 | Faraimo (15–2) | Scott (5–3) | — | 1,824 | 29–4 | 6–3 |
| March 28 | at Nevada | No. 3 | Christina M. Hixson Softball Park Reno, NV | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| March 31 | No. 6 Stanford | No. 3 | Easton Stadium | 4–0 | Faraimo (16–2) | Vawter (12–2) | — | 1,348 | 30–4 | 7–3 |
April (17–0) :
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall Record | Pac-12 Record |
| April 1 | No.6 Stanford | No. 3 | Easton Stadium | 2–1 | Faraimo (17–2) | Krause (8–3) | — | 1,209 | 31–4 | 8–3 |
| April 2 | No. 6 Stanford | No. 3 | Easton Stadium | 4–0 | Tinsley (5–1) | Vawter (12–3) | Yanez (1) | 1,132 | 32–4 | 9–3 |
| April 4 | at UC San Diego | No. 3 | Triton Softball Field San Diego, CA | 10–1 $^{(6)}$ | Yanez (10–1) | Thompson (2–5) | — | 503 | 33–4 | – |
| April 6 | Oregon State | No. 3 | Easton Stadium | 6–2 | Faraimo (18–2) | Stepto (4–10) | — | 847 | 34–4 | 10–3 |
| April 7 | Oregon State | No. 3 | Easton Stadium | 11–0 $^{(5)}$ | Yanez (11–1) | Garcia (3–7) | — | 868 | 35–4 | 11–3 |
| April 8 | Oregon State | No. 3 | Easton Stadium | 6–0 | Faraimo (19–2) | Stepto (4–11) | — | 1,057 | 36–4 | 12–3 |
| April 14 | at No. 24 Arizona | No. 2 | Hillenbrand Stadium Tucson, AZ | 8–0 | Faraimo (20–2) | Silva (2–2) | — | 2,970 | 37–4 | 13–3 |
| April 15 | at No. 24 Arizona | No. 2 | Hillenbrand Stadium | 8–4 | Faraimo (21–2) | Silva (2–3) | — | 2,866 | 38–4 | 14–3 |
| April 16 | at No. 24 Arizona | No. 2 | Hillenbrand Stadium | 14–5 $^{(5)}$ | Faraimo (22–2) | Netz (11–12) | — | 2,874 | 39–4 | 15–3 |
| April 19 | at Long Beach State | No. 2 | LBSU Softball Complex Long Beach, CA | 10–0 $^{(5)}$ | Tinsley (6–1) | Haddad (9–8) | — | 772 | 40–4 | – |
| April 21 | Arizona State | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 7–3 | Faraimo (23–2) | Osborne (4–11) | — | 1,046 | 41–4 | 16–3 |
| April 22 | Arizona State | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 9–1 $^{(6)}$ | Yanez (12–1) | Schuld (2–4) | — | 1,156 | 42–4 | 17–3 |
| April 23 | Arizona State | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 4–1 | Faraimo (24–2) | Magee (3–3) | — | 1,325 | 43–4 | 18–3 |
| April 25 | at Cal State Northridge | No. 2 | Matador Diamond Northridge, CA | 7–2 | Yanez (13–1) | Carranco (4–7) | — | 452 | 44–4 | – |
| April 28 | at No. 23 Utah | No. 2 | Dumke Family Softball Stadium Salt Lake City, UT | 3–0 | Faraimo (25–2) | Lopez (14–3) | — | 1,100 | 45–4 | 19–3 |
| April 29 | at No. 23 Utah | No. 2 | Dumke Family Softball Stadium | 10–1 $^{(6)}$ | Yanez (14–1) | Sandez (12–5) | — | 1,300 | 46–4 | 20–3 |
| April 30 | at No. 23 Utah | No. 2 | Dumke Family Softball Stadium | 11–3 | Faraimo (26–2) | Lopez (14–5) | — | 1,914 | 47–4 | 21–3 |
May (3–0) :
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall Record | Pac-12 Record |
| May 1 | at BYU | No. 2 | Gail Miller Field Provo, UT | 7–2 | Yanez (15–1) | Korth (15–7) | — | 619 | 48–4 | – |
| May 5 | Loyola Marymount | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 6–0 | Faraimo (27–2) | Perez (12–10) | — | 968 | 49–4 | – |
| May 5 | San Diego State | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 4–3 | Faraimo (28–2) | Light (10–6) | — | 968 | 50–4 | – |
Post-Season (2–3) :
Pac-12 Tournament (2–1) :
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall Record | Pac-12T Record |
| May 11 | Arizona | No. 2 | Hillenbrand Stadium | 4–3 | Faraimo (29–2) | Netz (16–16) | — | 2,492 | 51–4 | 1–0 |
| May 12 | No. 7 Stanford | No. 2 | Hillenbrand Stadium | 1–0 | Yanez (16–1) | Vawter (17–8) | — | 2,434 | 52–4 | 2–0 |
| May 13 | No. 21 Utah | No. 2 | Hillenbrand Stadium | 4–7 | Lopez (18–5) | Yanez (16–2) | — | 2,548 | 52–5 | 2–1 |
Los Angeles Regional (0–2) :
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site/Stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Attendance | Overall Record | Regional Record |
| May 19 | vs. Grand Canyon | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 2–3 | Darwin (9–3) | Faraimo (29–3) | Thompson (3) | — | 52–6 | 0–1 |
| May 20 | vs. Liberty | No. 2 | Easton Stadium | 1–2 | Keeney (26–11) | Yanez (16–3) | — | — | 52–7 | 0–2 |
Win  Loss  PostponementBold: Bruins team memberReference: Rankings from NFCA:(#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. :

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final |
| NFCA / USA Today | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | |
| Softball America | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | |
| ESPN.com/USA Softball | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | |
| D1Softball | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | |