UCLA's B.B. Bates hit an opposite-field blast to left field in the first inning Saturday, shoving UF freshman Hannah Rogers into an early 2-0 hole.
But Bates' long ball would be the Bruins' last noteworthy offensive sequence of the afternoon, as the Gators capitalized on timely two-out offense and Bruins miscues en route to a 4-2 NCAA Regional victory over the defending national champions.
"Heartbreaking loss," UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. "I think we outplayed them."
The Bruins did manage to out-hit the Gators 5-4, but they couldn't get out of tough innings or receive consistent production from any of their three pitchers.
Starter Donna Kerr was pulled after just two innings having allowed RBI hits to Michelle Moultrie and Megan Bush, who picked up a hit for the second day in a row after breaking out of a six-game slump.
"I found a little bit of a relief after getting that hit yesterday," the senior first baseman said.
UCLA was also hurt defensively when catcher Alyssa Tiumalu was lost to injury after Devon Lindvall grounded into a double play in the second.
The injury forced the Bruins to use Grace Murray at catcher, a senior who had never had a collegiate at-bat or played behind the plate in her college career.
The result was a third inning in which Aja Paculba rounded the bases to give Florida its first lead of the game without the assistance of a single hit. After stealing second and reaching third on an illegal pitch, the senior scored on a Murray passed ball.
After a rough end to the season, UF seniors have hit a combined .353 with two RBIs in the opening two games of the NCAA Tournament.
"It's postseason," Paculba said. "It's senior year, and we're looking forward to going to the end. I don't want to end on a loss, and I don't want to end my Gator career in a slump."
The Gators final run came on a wild pitch by Aleah Macon while trying to intentionally walk Megan Bush.
"The game plan is run as often as you can until you're thrown out or until the game dictates something different," UF coach Tim Walton said. "I'd like to say we're going to hit five home runs and win tomorrow, but realistically right now with this heat and the way we're swinging the bat, I don't see us hitting a whole lot of home runs right now."
UF has stolen nine bases in regional play, something Walton said his team used to not be able to do in a week.
Florida's coach also said he thinks the heat affected starting pitcher Hannah Rogers, who struck out nine without the use of her drop-ball, which has become her go-to pitch over the last month.
"I really went to every pitch this game, not just one pitch. I was going in and out, just trying to keep them off balance," the freshman right-hander said.
Florida will play UCLA Sunday at 1 p.m. with the Regional title on the line. One win secures it for UF, while UCLA must win two in a row.
