It’s hard to say how the top hitting pair in college softball will celebrate their latest home run.
Megan Grant has taken to striking a Superman pose after a little shimmy.
Meanwhile, Jordan Wooley has become quite fond of a TikTok dance a freshman shared with the team.
Whatever their moves might be this weekend, it’s safe to expect plenty of them.
Known as the Bruin Bombers, this duo has racked up an impressive total of 71 home runs this season, surpassing 258 NCAA Division I teams.
“What they’re doing this year is just epic,” said Bruins coach Kelly Inouye-Perez.
Grant leads with a record-setting 38 home runs as the Bruins prepare for their NCAA Tournament opener against California Baptist at Easton Stadium on Friday evening. The Bruins (47-8) are also slated to face either South Carolina or Cal State Fullerton on Saturday.
Woolley’s 33 home runs mark the second-highest single-season total for a Bruin.
The two are best friends, often inseparable both on and off the field. When Grant hits a double, Woolley follows suit, and their spots in the batting lineup are typically marked with bat taps and sometimes even both players rounding the bases together.
They have hit six consecutive home runs during their careers, including doing it twice in a single game against UC Riverside earlier this season. Proudly, they have accomplished this feat 24 times in their games.
Woolley mentioned that each time he steps up, he’s motivated by the desire to compete with his teammates.
“Honestly, watching her hit is pretty cool. I think it’s the best show ever,” he reflected.
They view their partnership as a way to build upon each other’s successes rather than as rivals, which is why they aimed for a joint goal of 60 home runs and achieved it before postseason play began.
“I think we just push each other,” Grant shared. “As long as we’re close, that’s what matters the most to both of us.”
Woolley has also earned recognition, being named the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year.
She boasts a team-high batting average of .515, along with a record 107 RBIs, aiming to be the first in NCAA history to bat over .500, hit 30 home runs, and drive in 100 RBIs all in a single season.
“This has never happened before. I’ve been involved in this game for a long while,” said UCLA hitting coach Lisa Fernandez, emphasizing how remarkable it is for two athletes to achieve such performance levels.
Coming off a previous season where Grant and Woolley combined for 49 home runs, Fernandez sought to revamp the batting structure. She adjusted their positions in the lineup, moving them strategically for more opportunities at bat.
Her approach was to optimize the order, allowing the left-handed Grant to bat behind leadoff hitter Riley Slim, also left-handed, to gauge what to expect when hitting from their side.
Having a coach like Fernandez, a former standout two-way player herself, offers them invaluable insights into overcoming pitcher strategies.
It’s no wonder that hits from this pair are often sparse.
Grant led the Big Ten with 64 walks, while Woolley tallied 43 walks.
This season marks Grant’s second year focusing on ages within a single grade.
She was part of UCLA’s national championship women’s basketball team until February, relishing her role of being a source of energy and support from the bench.
Playing basketball was a dream that reinforced her love for softball, serving as a reminder of her passion for the sport.
After hitting a home run in her first game back, she expressed a sense of surprise, realizing her talent.
“We all laugh at her,” joked Inouye-Perez. “She is very hard on herself. Elite athletes often have high standards, but I think that perspective has helped her recognize her abilities.”
Grant explained that her basketball experience allowed her to seize opportunities and eased any pressure heading into this standout season.
“Honestly, this feels like the freest I’ve seen her in our four years,” Woolley noted. “She’s just being herself, and it’s been wonderful to witness her growth.”
As anticipated, both players were picked high in the recent Athletes Unlimited Softball League draft, with Grant selected fourth overall and Woolley sixth.
But before all that, the Bruins need to focus on hitting more home runs, aiming for their first national championship since 2019.
And while no one can predict what celebration these two will come up with next, each always inspires the other.
“As long as we’re together, I believe we can achieve great success,” Woolley remarked.
