The UCLA Bruins are rewriting the record books—and they're not done yet. With a powerful performance in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals, UCLA softball has officially claimed the Division I single-season home run record, leaving the previous mark in the dust.
In a dominant 6-1 victory over Penn State on Thursday, the Bruins smashed four home runs, bringing their season total to a staggering 177. That's one more than the previous record held by Oklahoma, and it's a number that keeps climbing with every game.
This historic moment didn't come out of nowhere. UCLA and Oklahoma had been neck-and-neck all season, both surpassing the old NCAA record of 161 home runs back in April. Entering Thursday's game, the two powerhouses were tied at 173. But while the Bruins were launching bombs in the Big Ten Tournament, the Sooners managed just one home run in a tough 5-10 loss to Georgia in the SEC Tournament. Now, Oklahoma trails UCLA by three homers, and the gap could widen as the postseason heats up.
Leading the charge for UCLA is a lineup full of heavy hitters. The Bruins' star player tied Oklahoma freshman catcher Kendall Wells for the national lead with her 36th home run of the season on Thursday. Both are now just one dinger away from tying the all-time NCAA single-season record of 37, set by Arizona's Laura Espinoza way back in 1995. Senior infielder Jordan Woolery is also making history, sitting at No. 7 all-time with 33 home runs this season—a testament to the depth of power in this Bruins lineup.
The timing couldn't be more dramatic. UCLA faces Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Friday, giving them another chance to extend the record. Meanwhile, Oklahoma won't play again until the NCAA Tournament begins, meaning the Bruins' star has a prime opportunity to take sole possession of the national lead and potentially tie or break the NCAA individual record before the Sooners even step back on the field.
For fans of the game, this is must-watch softball. Whether you're cheering for the blue and gold or just love seeing history made, the Bruins are proving that the long ball is alive and well in college sports. And with the NCAA Tournament on the horizon, the home run chase is far from over.