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University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Postgame Quotes - UCLA 9, UCF 1
POSTGAME QUOTES
UCLA 9, UCF 1
Easton Stadium (Los Angeles, Calif.)
NCAA Los Angeles Super Regional
May 22, 2026
Kelly Inouye-Perez, The Shelly Carlin UCLA Head Softball Coach
opening statement
โGame one of anything is always exciting, and the ability for us to be able to get out there. But we want to do is continue to extend our season, and I'm just so proud of this Bruin team. Taylor [Tinsley] is a fierce competitor. Sheโs dialed in every pitch with a plan, and trying to execute pitches, just does a great job of being able to do everything she can to help her team. But, the patience of the offense, I credit the coaches, I credit the players, I credit the ability to be able to adjust throughout a ballgame. ย We didnโt start the way we wanted, but it's never about how we started, itโs how you finish. This team has the ability to do some pretty special things, and game one is always big, especially here at supers.โ
on the underclassmen stepping up in the lineup
โI'll be honest with you, I told them after fall ball, they're no longer freshmen and sophomores. They're Bruins. And the ability to stay connected, use words like buy-in, you know, they trust the process. And this is a young team that definitely is doing a great job of sticking with the coaches, with the game plan. They're playing as a unit, itโs not individual at bats. They have a plan, they're looking to execute it, and the youth of the team's ability to come in and learn from the Jordans [Woolerys] and the Megans ย [Grants] that are bought in also to the plan, is why we're experiencing such big success, rather, just does a great job as a lead off. She [Rylee Slimp] is only a sophomore, but she's actually a veteran hitter. She has a great eye in the strike zone; she can hit any pitch. She started off the game with a hard shot, and it sends a message. She does a great job in that first AB. But, to the underclassmen, at this point in season, it's not about home long you played, it's the game. And if I added up the years of experience of how long all of these Bruins have played, it's well beyond just freshman and sophomores. They've been playing since they were four or five years old. So, it's the same game on a big stage, that when you play together as team, big things can happen.โ
on the impact of Taylor Tinsley performing well in the postseason
โI mean, everything. I think the experience that Taylor has, I mean, she has put this program on her back. She will go down as one of those historic pitchers, and she's taken that responsibility. So, she puts the work in, she takes care of her body, she recovers, she trains, she does everything for the team. But as a result, she's in great shape. And I think with it, she's very convicted. I think her and Lefty [Alexis Ramirez] do a great job of game calling that allows for them to be more effective through a game. But to answer your question, absolutely critical at this time of the year. She's learned a lot of lessons throughout her entire career, and this is what she's wanted, is the opportunity to be able to do everything she can for her team. So, she's just doing what she came here to do, and I couldn't be more proud.โ
on having coach Lisa Fernandez give a mound visit in the fifth inning
โFirst of all, I think a big part of why Taylor is so complete, she has a rise, drop, change, curse, she can throw any part of the zone, and she can change speeds, is she really spent time with coach Lisa this fall. And she asked for it, and she's like, I want you to be hard. I want you to train me, I want you to I really want to develop the drop ball, and she now has it. So, in that moment though, I believe the only reason that things were starting to feel like you were giving him a little momentum, was because she was working behind in the count. And we were set up in a defense in that matter. So, I wanted her to get the defense, and Taylor locked in so that she could know exactly how to pitch in the defense, get defended. She came out, and she did exactly that. But, Lisa brings a calm confidence because she has a very direct way of communicating, and she can get really clear about what we need to do in the moment. And I think she did a great job of settling Taylor and the team down so we could just get out of that inning.โ
on the crowd and fan atmosphere
โI actually told the team today, I thanked them, because they made a decision to commit to playing team softball and having the offense stick to a plan and having the pitchers put the extra work in, to be able to be prepared to allow us to be a top eight seed, and for us to be here at home. So, instead of taking off midweek just to go wherever we had to go, they've earned the ability to do that, but they made that decision a long time ago and we want to figure out how to win as a team. So, with that, I told them not to stop. So, the energy, and I said that your fans, your friends, the people that have supported them their entire lives to be able to get to this big moment to play on the stage, we're here. And we have fans, and friends, and, again, I think our biggest strength is our alumni. You saw that first row, I mean, we had All-Americans, the national champions, and just great Bruins, that they come back, and Bruins can definitely feel them in the stands. It's a big part of what the Bruin bubble is all about.โ
on being able to win a super regional game in run-rule fashion
โI'm not going to lie, it was outstanding, I actually looked up and said, oh, we have an opportunity. So just like Rylee [Slimp], we weren't really dialed in, but we were so prepared for the next inning; we were ready to go back out there. But to answer your question, of course, a run-rule win and ending it in five, especially when you're in a two-out-of-three series is the perfect opportunity. The offense had Taylor's [Tinsleyโs] back. But with it, Taylor was rolling, and we were kind of excited to get back out there for our next opportunity. So, I love where we're at. The good news is, again, she's in great shape. She's dealing. We're being very strategic, which is a lot of fun. Itโs finding different ways to get batters out, but when the offense does what it does, we will take that every single day. But itโs huge for her to save bullets, because tomorrow's a big day.โ
UCLA sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp
on her initial reaction to her walk-off home run
โI had no idea, actually. I didn't even know we were in run-rule territory, if Iโm being honest. But, yeah, I found out after everything happened. So, I looked at everyone running off the field, and I was like, oh, okay. Yeah, it was awesome.ย Honestly, I was all I was trying to do at that moment was pass the bat to Meg [Grant] and Jo [Woolery], but I think it's also really cool to just end the game, especially for you Tins [Taylor Tinsley] who's working so hard for us.โ
on the teamโs chemistry
โI think the post-game interviews basically sums up our team. We're just so fun, we're here to have fun and we genuinely do enjoy each other's company, and we care about each other so deeply, and I think that definitely shows on the field with how passionate we play and how connected we feel as a team. So I think it's just it's easy to be around everyone and we play like that too.โ
on the crowd and fan atmosphere
โWe love being here at UCLA. The energy is just so electric and, like you said, all the alumni being here, it's so awesome to see just all the support and all the people coming back to support us.โ
on batting in the leadoff spot all season
โI think that actually takes a lot of pressure off, just knowing I have eight incredible bats behind me, so really, at the end of the day, all my job is to touch first base. That's all I'm really there to do, and I know that anyone behind me is going to get the job done. Basically, if I get on, I feel like I'm an automatic run because I have that much trust in the people behind me. So, I feel like that takes a lot of weight off my shoulders.โ
on having Kelly Inouye-Perez and her staff as coaches
โObviously, having two incredible coaches and honestly, role models as women is so huge for the whole team. We really do look up to them, and everything they can offer us every day is, it's why we're here at the end of the day because they know how to take a team and make them great. So, I think we're all just super grateful.โ
UCLA senior pitcher Taylor Tinsley
on having such a strong offense behind her
โYeah, just having the run support, it obviously makes me feel a little bit looser on the mound, and I think even for the offense in general, we just start having fun with it. Itโs fun to watch everybody succeed and just having them pass the bat, and then when I go out there, just knowing that they're always going to have my back no matter what. It just makes the game, even more fun than what it is.โ
on the importance of her teamโs support behind her
โI think, especially lately, getting into the postseason, we've all been connecting, really, really heavily, and I honestly love it. My focal point is center field, I look a little bit above JoJo [Woolery] sometimes, I think maybe she thinks I'm looking at her sometimes, but we do connect, and I think, honestly, she's been probably one of the first center fielders that I'm actually fully looking at and connecting with, just because I have so much trust in her, and it just kind of reminds me that all the girls behind me, I'm working for them, and I know that they're going to have my back, and lay it all out on the line for me, no matter what. So, I think we all just feed off each other. They feed off of my energy as well, as I feed off of theirs. So, I think we're all just really connected in that way for sure.โ
on the crowd and fan atmosphere
โIt's awesome. I mean, the Bruin bubble, the Bruin family, they always ride for us no matter what, and we ride for them as well. Just having all the alumni come back, for so many games too, this year, and especially in postseason, seeing how the alumni show up for us and how all of our families show up as well. Me and Rylee [Slimp] being out of state, knowing that our parents are always making the trip to come out and support us. I know it means a lot, and they always have our back, and I think that love that they give us, we also have love for each other on the field. And it's all just love all around for sure.โ
UCLA 9, UCF 1
Easton Stadium (Los Angeles, Calif.)
NCAA Los Angeles Super Regional
May 22, 2026
Kelly Inouye-Perez, The Shelly Carlin UCLA Head Softball Coach
opening statement
โGame one of anything is always exciting, and the ability for us to be able to get out there. But we want to do is continue to extend our season, and I'm just so proud of this Bruin team. Taylor [Tinsley] is a fierce competitor. Sheโs dialed in every pitch with a plan, and trying to execute pitches, just does a great job of being able to do everything she can to help her team. But, the patience of the offense, I credit the coaches, I credit the players, I credit the ability to be able to adjust throughout a ballgame. ย We didnโt start the way we wanted, but it's never about how we started, itโs how you finish. This team has the ability to do some pretty special things, and game one is always big, especially here at supers.โ
on the underclassmen stepping up in the lineup
โI'll be honest with you, I told them after fall ball, they're no longer freshmen and sophomores. They're Bruins. And the ability to stay connected, use words like buy-in, you know, they trust the process. And this is a young team that definitely is doing a great job of sticking with the coaches, with the game plan. They're playing as a unit, itโs not individual at bats. They have a plan, they're looking to execute it, and the youth of the team's ability to come in and learn from the Jordans [Woolerys] and the Megans ย [Grants] that are bought in also to the plan, is why we're experiencing such big success, rather, just does a great job as a lead off. She [Rylee Slimp] is only a sophomore, but she's actually a veteran hitter. She has a great eye in the strike zone; she can hit any pitch. She started off the game with a hard shot, and it sends a message. She does a great job in that first AB. But, to the underclassmen, at this point in season, it's not about home long you played, it's the game. And if I added up the years of experience of how long all of these Bruins have played, it's well beyond just freshman and sophomores. They've been playing since they were four or five years old. So, it's the same game on a big stage, that when you play together as team, big things can happen.โ
on the impact of Taylor Tinsley performing well in the postseason
โI mean, everything. I think the experience that Taylor has, I mean, she has put this program on her back. She will go down as one of those historic pitchers, and she's taken that responsibility. So, she puts the work in, she takes care of her body, she recovers, she trains, she does everything for the team. But as a result, she's in great shape. And I think with it, she's very convicted. I think her and Lefty [Alexis Ramirez] do a great job of game calling that allows for them to be more effective through a game. But to answer your question, absolutely critical at this time of the year. She's learned a lot of lessons throughout her entire career, and this is what she's wanted, is the opportunity to be able to do everything she can for her team. So, she's just doing what she came here to do, and I couldn't be more proud.โ
on having coach Lisa Fernandez give a mound visit in the fifth inning
โFirst of all, I think a big part of why Taylor is so complete, she has a rise, drop, change, curse, she can throw any part of the zone, and she can change speeds, is she really spent time with coach Lisa this fall. And she asked for it, and she's like, I want you to be hard. I want you to train me, I want you to I really want to develop the drop ball, and she now has it. So, in that moment though, I believe the only reason that things were starting to feel like you were giving him a little momentum, was because she was working behind in the count. And we were set up in a defense in that matter. So, I wanted her to get the defense, and Taylor locked in so that she could know exactly how to pitch in the defense, get defended. She came out, and she did exactly that. But, Lisa brings a calm confidence because she has a very direct way of communicating, and she can get really clear about what we need to do in the moment. And I think she did a great job of settling Taylor and the team down so we could just get out of that inning.โ
on the crowd and fan atmosphere
โI actually told the team today, I thanked them, because they made a decision to commit to playing team softball and having the offense stick to a plan and having the pitchers put the extra work in, to be able to be prepared to allow us to be a top eight seed, and for us to be here at home. So, instead of taking off midweek just to go wherever we had to go, they've earned the ability to do that, but they made that decision a long time ago and we want to figure out how to win as a team. So, with that, I told them not to stop. So, the energy, and I said that your fans, your friends, the people that have supported them their entire lives to be able to get to this big moment to play on the stage, we're here. And we have fans, and friends, and, again, I think our biggest strength is our alumni. You saw that first row, I mean, we had All-Americans, the national champions, and just great Bruins, that they come back, and Bruins can definitely feel them in the stands. It's a big part of what the Bruin bubble is all about.โ
on being able to win a super regional game in run-rule fashion
โI'm not going to lie, it was outstanding, I actually looked up and said, oh, we have an opportunity. So just like Rylee [Slimp], we weren't really dialed in, but we were so prepared for the next inning; we were ready to go back out there. But to answer your question, of course, a run-rule win and ending it in five, especially when you're in a two-out-of-three series is the perfect opportunity. The offense had Taylor's [Tinsleyโs] back. But with it, Taylor was rolling, and we were kind of excited to get back out there for our next opportunity. So, I love where we're at. The good news is, again, she's in great shape. She's dealing. We're being very strategic, which is a lot of fun. Itโs finding different ways to get batters out, but when the offense does what it does, we will take that every single day. But itโs huge for her to save bullets, because tomorrow's a big day.โ
UCLA sophomore outfielder Rylee Slimp
on her initial reaction to her walk-off home run
โI had no idea, actually. I didn't even know we were in run-rule territory, if Iโm being honest. But, yeah, I found out after everything happened. So, I looked at everyone running off the field, and I was like, oh, okay. Yeah, it was awesome.ย Honestly, I was all I was trying to do at that moment was pass the bat to Meg [Grant] and Jo [Woolery], but I think it's also really cool to just end the game, especially for you Tins [Taylor Tinsley] who's working so hard for us.โ
on the teamโs chemistry
โI think the post-game interviews basically sums up our team. We're just so fun, we're here to have fun and we genuinely do enjoy each other's company, and we care about each other so deeply, and I think that definitely shows on the field with how passionate we play and how connected we feel as a team. So I think it's just it's easy to be around everyone and we play like that too.โ
on the crowd and fan atmosphere
โWe love being here at UCLA. The energy is just so electric and, like you said, all the alumni being here, it's so awesome to see just all the support and all the people coming back to support us.โ
on batting in the leadoff spot all season
โI think that actually takes a lot of pressure off, just knowing I have eight incredible bats behind me, so really, at the end of the day, all my job is to touch first base. That's all I'm really there to do, and I know that anyone behind me is going to get the job done. Basically, if I get on, I feel like I'm an automatic run because I have that much trust in the people behind me. So, I feel like that takes a lot of weight off my shoulders.โ
on having Kelly Inouye-Perez and her staff as coaches
โObviously, having two incredible coaches and honestly, role models as women is so huge for the whole team. We really do look up to them, and everything they can offer us every day is, it's why we're here at the end of the day because they know how to take a team and make them great. So, I think we're all just super grateful.โ
UCLA senior pitcher Taylor Tinsley
on having such a strong offense behind her
โYeah, just having the run support, it obviously makes me feel a little bit looser on the mound, and I think even for the offense in general, we just start having fun with it. Itโs fun to watch everybody succeed and just having them pass the bat, and then when I go out there, just knowing that they're always going to have my back no matter what. It just makes the game, even more fun than what it is.โ
on the importance of her teamโs support behind her
โI think, especially lately, getting into the postseason, we've all been connecting, really, really heavily, and I honestly love it. My focal point is center field, I look a little bit above JoJo [Woolery] sometimes, I think maybe she thinks I'm looking at her sometimes, but we do connect, and I think, honestly, she's been probably one of the first center fielders that I'm actually fully looking at and connecting with, just because I have so much trust in her, and it just kind of reminds me that all the girls behind me, I'm working for them, and I know that they're going to have my back, and lay it all out on the line for me, no matter what. So, I think we all just feed off each other. They feed off of my energy as well, as I feed off of theirs. So, I think we're all just really connected in that way for sure.โ
on the crowd and fan atmosphere
โIt's awesome. I mean, the Bruin bubble, the Bruin family, they always ride for us no matter what, and we ride for them as well. Just having all the alumni come back, for so many games too, this year, and especially in postseason, seeing how the alumni show up for us and how all of our families show up as well. Me and Rylee [Slimp] being out of state, knowing that our parents are always making the trip to come out and support us. I know it means a lot, and they always have our back, and I think that love that they give us, we also have love for each other on the field. And it's all just love all around for sure.โ