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OKLAHOMA CITY — When you think of the defending champion looking to repeat, you think of a club full of seniors making one last title run. Then there is UCLA women’s softball, which was carried offensively by its three freshman starters, all making their first Women’s College World Series appearance. “I had butterflies of course,” said freshman right fielder Lisa Dodd. “I’m sure most of the freshmen did.” It didn’t show on the field. After Stanford took the early momentum by scoring in the top of the first inning, Dodd took it right back with her own RBI single in the bottom of the inning. When Stanford took the lead in the fourth, it was another freshman, shortstop Jodie Legaspi, who got the game-tying single for UCLA in the bottom of the inning. Finally, freshman right fielder Ashley Herrera hit a chopper up the middle to score two runs. It turned out to be the game-winning hit. “I have an incredible amount of confidence (in my freshmen),” coach Sue Enquist said. “They’ve experienced more than most freshmen this year in their journey to the world series, and because of that they’re reaping the benefits.” Dodd and Legaspi have been everyday starters all year, while Herrera has been shuffled in and out in Enquist’s lineup. The freshmen, like the rest of UCLA’s players, have gone through their ups and downs, including a brutal start to conference play. Throughout the last few weeks, Enquist has stressed how this has made her players more prepared for championship-level games. But she does not want any of her players, especially the freshmen, thinking of the game as different because it is the championships. “We just keep reminding them, the game is the same. The game is waiting for you to do things you’ve done all year,” Enquist said. “That part never changes. It’s the build-up that’s different, and that can throw you off your game.” When describing her approach to her first world series game, Dodd echoed her coach’s advice. “We try not to make it any bigger than it really was,” Dodd said. “It’s the same game that we’ve been playing all season.”

UCLA v. LSU: The Bruins will face the No. 3-seed Tigers today after LSU’s wild 3-2 win over Michigan in 13 innings. The game was scoreless until the top of the 12th, when Michigan’s Grace Leutele hit a two-run homer in the top of the inning. LSU tied the game in the bottom of the inning, after Michigan catcher Monica Schock had a passed ball on pitcher Jennie Ritter’s first pitch of the game. Michigan’s sloppy play continued in the next inning, after a routine infield single. Two Michigan players threw the ball away, allowing Sara Fitzgerald to score from second base. Today’s game between LSU and UCLA will be nationally televised at noon on ESPN.