On paper UCLA and CSUB couldn't be more different. UCLA the most successful program in the NCAA with 11 national titles against CSUB, a team making its first ever appearance.

Any thought that the Runners might be nervous quickly went away as Amber Mills settled into a groove. The senior pitcher didn't allow a hit until the fourth inning.

But a solo home run in the fifth turned the game on its head. Madaline Jelenicki hit a line drive that just stayed fair down the left field line and two batters later Paige Halstead hit a two run blast over the right field wall quickly making it 3-0 Bruins.

“I wouldn’t have called a changeup if I had to do it over again," said CSUB coach Crissy Buck-Ziegler. "Bad pitch call and then one bad pitch later on that inning but other than that I think we played really well.”

The game was effectively over after Gabrielle Maurice hit a grand slam in the sixth to make it 7-0. The only thing left to see was if CSUB could avoid having a perfect game thrown against them.

With two outs in the seventh Sydney Raeber walked becoming the Runners' first baserunner of the game but the following batter Selena Gonzalez struck out swinging to end the game. Johanna Grauer no hit CSUB for UCLA's first no hitter this season. It was the first time CSUB had been no hit since UCLA did the same in 2013. 

“UCLA-they’re a great team but I knew my team was good enough to hang in there with them and I do think that we could have played a little better," said senior outfielder Sydney Raeber. "Honestly I think the outcome could have been a little different but we’re not done yet. We have more games to play.”

The stage is set for a Central Valley showdown Saturday as CSUB takes on Fresno State at Easton Stadium with first pitch set at 3:00 PM.

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