UCLA Softball Coach Achieves Historic Milestone
It’s quite an impressive feat—888 wins.
After the No. 8 Bruins clinched back-to-back championships on Friday, UCLA softball coach Kelly Inouye Perez now holds the record for the most wins in the history of the oldest college program in the sport.
Inouye Perez has surpassed her predecessor, Sue Enquist, who accumulated 887 wins and six NCAA titles during her tenure from 1989 to 2006 before retiring. Interestingly, Inouye Perez played under Enquist, earning three NCAA championships as the Bruins’ catcher.
Enquist honored Inouye Perez with this recognition following the Bruins’ thrilling 15-12 victory over No. 4 Florida.
“It was truly special,” Inouye Perez shared with the California Post regarding the moment. “I don’t really focus on numbers, so I wasn’t sure why she showed up. But having her and Kirk Walker there was pretty significant. Kirk recruited me and helped lay the foundation for this program.”
“It was an emotional and proud moment,” she added.
Together, Inouye Perez, Enquist, and Sharon Backus have contributed to UCLA’s impressive tally of 2,226 championships and 13 national championships, both of which rank high in NCAA history.
“I take pride in our efforts to uphold this tradition of excellence,” Inouye Perez said. “No other program has sustained this level for 60 years quite like UCLA Softball. That’s my aspiration—to offer the same opportunities I had as a student-athlete, to experience significant games and championship stages, and beyond that. We take pride in our degrees and our strong women. Maintaining this legacy on such a prominent platform underscores the UCLA Softball brand’s lasting value.”
Currently in her 20th season as head coach, Inouye Perez has led the Bruins to the Women’s World College Series 11 times, securing NCAA Championships in 2010 and 2019. Notably, she remains the only individual to win an NCAA Division I softball championship as both a player and a coach.
The pivotal win at the Judy Garman Classic at Cal State Fullerton had its share of drama.
With Florida leading 15-10 in the seventh inning and just one out, the bases were loaded for UCLA. After relief pitcher Taylor Tinsley struck out a batter, Florida’s Taylor Shoemaker got a hit to center field that scored two runs. Yet, Tinsley bounced back, grounding out the next batter and clinching the Bruins’ victory.
Arena Garcia led the team with four hits, while Jordan Woolley and Alexis Ramirez each contributed three hits as UCLA improved to 15-3.
Following the win, players joyfully chanted “Coach I!” in celebration.
Earlier that day, UCLA had decisively defeated East Texas A&M 14-0 in five innings. Looking ahead, the Bruins are set to face BYU and Seattle on Saturday.
