The San Diego State Aztecs and the UCLA Bruins each won their respective games Friday evening.

They now face off against each other for a spot in the regional championship game. The winner of this game would need to lose two games in a row to be eliminated, while the loser will be in do-or-die mode.

The Aztecs and Bruins faced off once earlier this year on The Mesa. The Bruins won 5-0 on the strength of a no-hitter by Taylor Tinsley. The Aztecs are hoping for a much different outcome in this one than in its predecessor.

On Friday, the Bruins beat UCSB in a 9-1 run-rule victory, ending the game in six innings. The game did not start the way the Bruins wanted, as they were down 1-0 until the fourth inning. The Bruins responded thanks to a three-run home run by Kaitlyn Terry. The Aztecs’ pitching staff is familiar with this lineup and knows the task at hand.

The Aztecs will handle the Bruins’ very potent lineup. UCLA’s offense is among the top 15 in four offensive categories (batting average, SLG%, runs, and home runs).

The one thing they do not do is steal bases. They don’t need to steal bases when the majority of their hits are for extra bases. Grace Uribe, Cece Cellura, and Dee Dee Hernandez will have their work cut out for them. The Aztecs will come into this one with the same mindset they have had. Play like you have something to lose and leave everything out there.

On top of having an elite offense, the Bruins also have an elite pitching staff.

The Bruins are Top 15 in four major pitching and defending categories (ERA, WHIP, K/BB, and FLD%).

The Bruins play elite gold glove defense all over the field, and they rarely allow more than one runner on in an inning. The Aztecs will need to be patient and find a pitcher to each hitter’s respective liking. The Aztecs will likely see a committee from the Bruins depending on how they respond to the starter. UCLA could go to four different pitchers who would be aces on most staffs in college softball. Kinsley, Terry, Addisen Fisher, and Jada Cecil are the four pitchers by committee that Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez will use.

The Aztecs’ keys to a win are a lot easier said than done. San Diego State pitchers must live life low and on the edges to keep the ball in the stadium. Force the UCLA batters to beat you with small ball rather than their extra-base power. The Aztec bats will need to find one pitch they can crush and sit on it while also being patient. Look to Bella Espinoza and Cali Decker to get the Aztecs going and potentially bring momentum into the Aztec dugout.

If the Aztecs win Saturday’s matchup, they will be locked into the championship game on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

If they lose, they would face off against the winner of UCSB versus Arizona State late Saturday at 7 p.m.

Bryant Thursby

Assistant Coach at Heritage High School. A big time SDSU fanatic and Padres fan.