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Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic
2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

Baylor Softball Rallies To Beat UCLA At 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

Baylor Softball Rallies To Beat UCLA At 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

Baylor used a five-run sixth inning to rally past UCLA at the 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California. Baylor won the contest 5-3.

Feb 25, 2024 by Matt Cannizzaro
Baylor Softball Rallies To Beat UCLA At 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

Baylor picked up a statement win Saturday night at the 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California, cooling off a red-hot UCLA team in a 5-3 nailbiter.

Through four innings, the game very much was a pitching duel between UCLA’s Taylor Tinsley and Baylor’s RyLee Crandall, before the teams combined for seven runs between the fifth and sixth innings.

The Bruins, who took a 1-0 lead in the third inning, broke through with a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Maya Brady kicked off the rally with a one-out single, while Jadelyn Allchin and Megan Grant added hits to extend the lead. Grant delivered a first-pitch double to left field to score Brady and Allchin. 

Unfortunately for the Bruins, they got cut-rate insurance, and Baylor was able to turn the game upside down in the top of the sixth inning. 

Where Brady had played a key role in locking up each of UCLA’s three wins to start the 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic using her offensive prowess, it was a pair of throwing errors from the All-American shortstop that gave Baylor the come-from-behind win.

Baylor loaded the bases in the top of the sixth inning with two singles and a throwing error by Brady. Another throwing error from Brady on a force play at home plate allowed the Bears to score two runs.

A walk loaded the bases again, and after a sacrifice fly from Kaci West to tie the game, Emily Hott ripped an opposite-field double to left field to score Taylor Strain and Shaylon Govan for the final runs of the contest. 

All five runs were unearned, and the loss is the first for UCLA at this year’s event. 

2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic


The Bruins used late-game heroics, with help from Brady’s bat and baserunning, to down Nebraska (9-8) and Northwestern (1-0) on Friday, before Brady connected for a three-run walk-off home run that helped bring an early end to a 10-2 win over Illinois. 

The victory over UCLA keeps the Bears unbeaten this week at Big League Dreams Cathedral City, where they’ve defeated Oregon (3-2), Notre Dame (10-9), UC Riverside (8-0) and now UCLA, which entered the event ranked No. 19 in the latest USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll.

Baylor, which fell out of the top 25 in the most recent USA Today/NFCA poll, tallied 11 hits against UCLA on Saturday, with three players getting two. Hott, Strain and Leah Cran all were 2 for 4 in the game.

Crandall went six innings in the circle for Baylor, giving up six hits, three earned runs and two walks, while striking out four. 

She handed the ball over to Baylor ace Aliyah Binford, who’s still battling back from a knee injury, though it didn’t show Saturday, as she struck out three Bruins to end the game. 

Crandall gets the win and improves to 2-2 on the season, and Binford gets her second save of the year. 

Baylor has won five in a row and improved to 6-3 for the new campaign. 

The Bears will wrap up their 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Saturday night against a top-10 Missouri team that was shocked by San Diego State on the opening night of the tournament. 

Despite the loss, UCLA got a complete-game performance from Taylor Tinsley, who surrendered the 11 hits, while Baylor piled on the five unearned runs. Tinsley walked two and struck out 11, but she falls to 2-4 on the year. 

Grant provided the offensive spark for UCLA on Saturday night, going 3 for 4 with three RBIs. She was the only Bruin with more than one hit against the Bears. 

The Bruins are 6-5 in 2024 and will meet Tennessee on Sunday at 5 p.m. Eastern for their final game of the 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. 

Follow the action live, as FloSoftball provides news and notes from all of the games at the event.

Baylor Defeats UCLA At 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, 5-3

Box Score

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Baylor Softball's Binford Secures Win For Bears Against UCLA Softball

Baylor brings in Aliyah Binford to pitch the bottom of the seventh inning, replacing RyLee Crandall. Binford still is recovering from a knee injury, so her time in the circle has been limited.

Crandall went six innings, giving up six hits, three runs and two walks, while striking out four.

Binford walks Maya Brady to start the inning. Tying run (Jadelyn Allchin) comes to the plate.

Binford strikes out Allchin for first out. Binford strikes out Jordan Woolery for second out. 

Megan Grant picks up her third hit of the night, a single, to keep the night alive for UCLA. Bruins have runners on first and second with two outs.

Sharlize Palacios strikes out swinging to end the game.

Baylor wins 5-3 and improve to 7-3 on the season. 

UCLA Softball Shuts Down Baylor In Seventh Inning At Big League Dreams Cathedral City

Baylor didn't have much happening in the top of the seventh inning.

UCLA coming up for final opportunity, down two runs. Bears lead 5-3.

Baylor Defense Stops UCLA In Sixth Inning At 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

After a huge offensive inning, the Baylor defense steps up to stop UCLA in the bottom half of the sixth inning. 

Baylor maintains the lead, 5-3.

Baylor Softball Battles Back, Scores Five Runs In Sixth Inning Against UCLA

Baylor starts the sixth inning with back-to-back singles from Aliyah Binford and Leah Cran.

A wide thrown from shortstop Maya Brady allows McKenzie Wilson to reach base and load the bases for Baylor with one out.

Another throwing error from Brady to home plate for a force out allows the Bears to score two runs, as Binford and Cran score. UCLA still leads 3-2.

Shaylon Govan is intentionally walked, loading the bases again with one out.

Wilson scores on a sacrifice fly by Kaci West. That leaves two on and two out for the Bears.

Emily Hott rips an opposite-field double to left field, scoring Strain and Govan. Baylor leads 5-3.

Inning ends. UCLA coming up for bottom of the sixth inning trailing by two.

UCLA Softball Adds Two Runs Against Baylor At 2024 Mary Nutter Tournament

Reigning Pac-12 batting champ Maya Brady hit a one-out single to get UCLA going in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Jadelyn Allchin singles to give the Bruins runners on first and second with one out.

Megan Grant rips a first-pitch double down the left-field line to score Brady and Allchin. Bruins lead 3-0. Lauren Hatch comes in to run for Grant.

Baylor Unsuccessful Again In Fifth Inning Against UCLA Softball

Taylor Strain starts the top of the fifth inning with her second hit of the game, a one-hop double off the fence in left center.

Shaylon Govan singles, allowing Strain to advance to third. Runners on the corners, one out.

Ashlyn Wachtendorf comes on to run for Govan.

Two strikes and a line drive helped Taylor Tinsley get out of the inning unscathed. Bears leave two more on base.

Baylor Retires UCLA Softball In Order In Bottom Of Fourth Inning

Baylor's RyLee Crandall strikes out two, Bears retire UCLA in order in bottom of fourth inning.

UCLA leads 1-0.

Baylor Softball Unable To Score In Top Of Fourth Inning Against UCLA

Sydney Collazos kicks off the fourth inning with a base hit to right center. Caroline Rowatt comes in to pinch run.

Leah Cran singles, too, putting runners on first and second with one out.

Runners advance on a groundout. 

McKenzie Wilson grounds out to end the inning. Baylor strands two. The Bears have left seven runners on base through four innings.

UCLA Softball Takes 1-0 Lead Against Baylor At 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

Janelle Meono walks to start the bottom of the third inning but is thrown out at second base on a fielder's choice for the second out. Jadelyn Allchin reaches base.

Jordan Woolery singles to give UCLA runners on first and second with two outs.

Megan Grant singles, and Allchin scores from second base. Bruins lead 1-0.

Inning ends with two Bruins on base.

Baylor Softball Makes Noise, Threatens In Third Inning Against UCLA

McKenzie Wilson hits a one-out stand-up double to give Baylor a runner in scoring position. She advances to third on a Taylor Strain strikeout. Strain reaches first base on the strikeout.

Strain steals second base.

Shaylon Govan walks to load the bases with one outs.

Shannon Vivoda strikes out. Emily Hott strikes out to end the inning (seventh strikeout of the evening for Taylor Tinsley).

Big threat, three stranded on base. Score remains 0-0.

Baylor Bears Make Quick Work Of UCLA

UCLA goes down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the second inning against Baylor.

Baylor Softball Scoreless Through Two Innings Against UCLA

The Bears don't gain any momentum in the top of the second inning against UCLA. 

One hit, no runs. Game remains 0-0.

UCLA Softball Quiet In Opening Inning Against Baylor

A walk and an error give UCLA runners on first and second with two outs, but the Bruins are unable to capitalize. 

RyLee Crandall strikes out two in the inning. 

Bruins get no hits and no runs and strand two.

Baylor Softball Strands One In Opening Inning Against UCLA

Taylor Strain has a single in the opening inning for Baylor, but that's all that's happening for the Bears. One hit, no runs, UCLA coming up.

Starting Lineup For Baylor Against UCLA At 2024 Mary Nutter Tournament

See who's starting for Baylor against UCLA:

UCLA Softball And Baylor Underway At Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

UCLA is the home team in this one, and Taylor Tinsley is back in the circle for the Bruins.

RyLee Crandall will have the ball for the Bears.

When Is The UCLA Vs. Baylor Softball Game?

UCLA will take on Baylor at Wrigley Field, part of Big League Dreams Cathedral City in Cathedral City, California, on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern.

How To Watch The UCLA Vs. Baylor Softball Game

Watch the 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on FloSoftball and the FloSports app.

FloSoftball is streaming several NCAA Division I college softball tournaments, including the 2024 Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, THE Spring Games and the recent Candrea Classic.

Maya Oh My! Maya Brady Brings An Early End To UCLA Softball's Game Against Illinois

Maya Brady hit a three-run home in the bottom of the fifth inning against Illinois to bring an early conclusion to their game at the 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.

It was the 58th home run of Brady's career at UCLA and helped the Bruins win 10-2. 

Watch Brady's blast now:

History Between UCLA Softball And Baylor Softball

The Bruins and Bears have met eight times in the past, with UCLA holding a 5-3 advantage in the series. 

Their faced each other for the first time in 2004, a 9-0 win by UCLA, and their most recent contest came at the 2022 edition of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, a 7-4 win for the Bruins. 

The last time Baylor beat UCLA in softball was an 11-6 victory in 2017.

Hear More From UCLA Superstar Maya Brady

Maya Brady has been everywhere this week for UCLA at the 2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. Hear more about her time at the event and her approach to the game:

Check Out The Conclusion Of Baylor’s Blowout Win Over UC Riverside

After close calls against Oregon and Notre Dame, Baylor cruised to this win over UC Riverside on Friday:

USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll

The latest USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll came out this week, and Oklahoma continues its stranglehold on the top spot.

The Sooners, who entered the 2024 on a 53-game winning streak, are 9-0 to start the new campaign.

UCLA remained at No. 19 in this poll, while Baylor dropped out of the top 25 and into the “others receiving votes” category.

Click HERE to see the complete rankings. 

About Big League Dreams Cathedral City

The Big League Dreams Sports Parks are scattered throughout the United States and provide recreational and tournament players of all ages the chance to compete on world-class fields, often built as replicas of famous stadiums from the storied history of Major League Baseball.

Along with the nostalgic fields, the Big League Dreams venues include a restaurant and bar, batting cages, play area for children, stadium seating and space for other sports (hockey, soccer, sand volleyball), events and competitions. 

Big League Dreams Cathedral City was the first of the eight BLD properties to open, doing so in 1998. The park includes five fields. Among them, Boston’s Fenway Park, Chicago’s Wrigley Field and New York’s Yankee Stadium.

2024 Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic Schedule

All times Eastern

Thursday, Feb. 22

Wrigley Field

  • Rutgers vs. Hawaii, 3 p.m.
  • Oregon vs. Central Florida, 5:30 p.m.
  • Oregon vs. Baylor, 8 p.m.
  • Notre Dame vs. Baylor 10:30 p.m.

Yankee Stadium

  • Bethune Cookman vs. BYU, 3 p.m.
  • Bethune Cookman vs. Oregon State, 5:30 p.m.
  • San Diego State vs. Missouri, 8 p.m.
  • Wisconsin vs. Missouri, 10:30 p.m.

Fenway Park

  • Oregon State vs. Wisconsin 2:30 p.m.
  • Notre Dame vs. Mississippi State, 5 p.m.
  • UC Riverside vs. Rutgers 7:30 p.m.
  • UC Riverside vs. BYU 10 p.m.

Des Moines Field

  • Mississippi State vs. Central Florida 2 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 23

Wrigley Field

  • San Diego State vs. Nebraska, 1 p.m.
  • UCLA vs. Nebraska, 3:30 p.m.
  • UCLA vs. Northwestern, 6 p.m.
  • Oklahoma vs. Mississippi State, 8:30 p.m.
  • Oklahoma vs. Wisconsin, 11 p.m.

Yankee Stadium

  • Hawaii vs. Fresno State, 1:30 p.m.
  • Hawaii vs. California, 4 p.m.
  • Notre Dame vs. Oregon, 6:30 p.m.
  • Long Beach State vs. Oregon, 9 p.m.
  • Central Florida vs. Oregon State, 11:30 p.m.

Fenway Park

  • Rutgers vs. Loyola Marymount, 1 p.m.
  • Tennessee vs. Loyola Marymount, 3:30 p.m.
  • Tennessee vs. CSU Fullerton, 6 p.m.
  • Missouri vs. Central Florida, 8:30 p.m.
  • Missouri vs. CSU Fullerton, 11 p.m.

Des Moines Field

  • Seattle University vs. CSU Northridge, 1 p.m.
  • Utah vs. CSU Northridge, 3:30 p.m.
  • Bethune Cookman vs. San Diego State, 6 p.m.
  • University of San Diego vs. Wisconsin, 8:30 p.m.
  • University of San Diego vs. Utah, 11 p.m.

Pawtucket Field

  • Illinois vs. California, 1:30 p.m.
  • Cal Poly vs. Rutgers, 3 p.m.
  • Long Beach State vs. BYU, 6:30 p.m.
  • UC Riverside vs. Seattle, 9 p.m.
  • UC Riverside vs. Baylor, 11:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 24

Wrigley Field

  • Oregon vs. Nebraska, 1 p.m.
  • Oklahoma vs. San Diego State, 3:30 p.m.
  • UCLA vs. Illinois, 6 p.m.
  • UCLA vs. Baylor, 8:30 p.m.
  • Missouri vs. Baylor, 11 p.m.

Yankee Stadium

  • Seattle vs. California, 12:30 p.m.
  • Oregon State vs. Notre Dame, 3 p.m.
  • Oregon State vs. Tennessee, 5:30 p.m.
  • Central Florida vs. Tennessee, 8 p.m.
  • Central Florida vs. University of San Diego, 10:30 p.m.

Fenway Park

  • Northwestern vs. Loyola Marymount, 10 a.m.
  • Northwestern vs. University of San Diego, 3:30 p.m.
  • Notre Dame vs. Utah, 6 p.m.
  • Wisconsin vs. Utah, 8:30 p.m.
  • Rutgers vs. BYU 11 p.m.

Des Moines Field

  • Cal vs. Illinois, 12:30 p.m.
  • CSU Fullerton vs. Utah, 3 p.m.
  • CSU Fullerton vs. Mississippi State, 5:30 p.m.
  • Cal Poly vs. BYU, 8 p.m.
  • Mississippi State vs. Fresno State, 10:30 p.m.

Pawtucket Field

  • CSU Northridge vs. Bethune Cookman, 12:30 p.m.
  • Wisconsin vs. Long Beach State, 3 p.m.
  • CSU Northridge vs. Rutgers, 2:30 p.m.
  • Loyola Marymount vs. Bethune Cookman 8 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 25

Wrigley Field

  • Seattle vs. Oklahoma, noon
  • Loyola Marymount vs. Oklahoma, 2:30 p.m.
  • UCLA vs. Tennessee, 5 p.m.

Yankee Stadium

  • Nebraska vs. Utah, noon
  • Nebraska vs. CSU Fullerton, 2:30 p.m.
  • University of San Diego vs. UC Riverside, 5 p.m.

Fenway Park

  • Oregon State vs. Northwestern, noon
  • Tennessee vs. Hawaii, 2:30 p.m.
  • Fresno State vs. Cal Poly, 5 p.m.

Des Moines Field

  • Illinois vs. Hawaii, 11:30 a.m.
  • Fresno State vs. Long Beach State, 2:30 p.m.

Pawtucket Field

  • California vs. Long Beach State, noon
  • California vs. Cal Poly, 2:30 p.m.

Who Was Mary Nutter?

Mary Nutter was an All-American softball player and a pioneer in the sport. 

She was a coach at Pittsburgh State and was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1988 and the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1997.

Nutter died in 2012. 

Watch 2024 College Softball On FloSoftball

FloSoftball is your home to some of the top college softball tournaments in the country, as well as conference softball games from a varsity of conferences. Some of the tournaments streaming live on FloSoftball include: 

FloSoftball Archived Footage

Video footage from past seasons is archived and stored in a video library for FloSoftball subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

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