It’s an accomplishment worthy of an 888-clap.
That’s how many victories UCLA softball coach Kelly Inouye-Perez has after the No. 8 Bruins logged back-to-back triumphs Friday, making her the winningest coach in the history of the most storied college program in the sport.
Inouye-Perez passed predecessor Sue Enquist, who posted 887 victories and won six NCAA titles from 1989-2006 before her retirement. Inouye-Perez played for Enquist, winning three NCAA championships as a catcher for the Bruins.
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Enquist presented Inouye-Perez with a crown after the Bruins’ 15-12 victory over No. 4 Florida.
“It was really special,” Inouye-Perez told The California Post of the gesture. “I never really count numbers, but I didn’t really know why she was there. But it was very special to have her and Kirk Walker there, who recruited me and helped build this program.
“A very proud moment and it definitely brought some emotion.”
Inouye-Perez, Enquist and Sharron Backus have combined for all of UCLA’s 2,226 wins and 13 national championships, which both rank as the most in NCAA history.
“I’m proud that we have done everything we can to sustain this tradition of excellence,” Inouye-Perez said. “There is no program that has sustained it over six decades like UCLA softball, and that is my goal — to create the same opportunity that I had as a student-athlete, to be able to get after some big games and opportunities to win championships, but it’s more than that. We’re proud of the degree, and I’m building strong women and the ability to continue to do that on this big stage means that the brand of UCLA softball is still something that brings value.”
NCAA Photos Archive NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Now in her 20th season as head coach, Inouye-Perez has guided the Bruins to NCAA championships in 2010 and 2019 as part of 11 total Women’s World College Series appearances. She remains the only person to win an NCAA Division I softball championship as both a player and a coach.
The milestone victory in the Judi Garman Classic at Cal State Fullerton involved some late drama.
Trailing, 15-10, the Gators loaded the bases with one out in the seventh inning. UCLA reliever Taylor Tinsley struck out the next batter before Florida’s Taylor Shumaker singled up the middle, driving in two runs. But Tinsley recovered to retire the next batter on a groundout, sealing the Bruins’ victory.
Aleena Garcia drove in four runs and Jordan Woolery and Alexis Ramirez drove in three apiece to lead UCLA (15-3).
Afterward, her players chanted “Coach I!” in celebration.
In the first game of the day, UCLA routed East Texas A&M, 14-0, in five innings.
The Bruins will play BYU and Seattle on Saturday.
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