Image credit: ClutchPoints

Gabriela Jaquez joins UCLA softball for postseason run

Originally posted on NCAA Basketball on ClutchPoints
By Erin Achenbach | Last updated May 14, 2024 8:07 PM ET

UCLA women’s basketball sophomore forward Gabriela Jaquez will be donning the Bruins’ softball uniform for their postseason campaign. Announced Tuesday just ahead of the NCAA Los Angeles Regional, Jaquez is set to bring her athletic skills from the basketball court to the softball diamond, where she will wear No. 32.

Gabriela Jaquez, known for her contributions to the UCLA women’s basketball team, is no stranger to softball. Having played three seasons of softball at Adolfo Camarillo High School, where she achieved a batting average of .271, Jaquez is expected to add depth and versatility to the Bruins’ lineup. Her high school career included a CIF SoCal Softball Championship semifinal appearance alongside current Bruin infielder Rylee Pinedo.

UCLA softball coach Kelly Inouye-Perez expressed her excitement about the addition of Jaquez to the team.

“Gabriela is a fierce competitor and will add to the depth and versatility of our running game this postseason,” Inouye-Perez said, as reported by Matthew Royer of the Daily Bruin. “As a standout student-athlete on the UCLA women’s basketball team, Gabriela recognizes and upholds our strong Bruin values.”

Gabriela Jaquez not the only dual-sport Bruin

LSU Tigers guard Mikaylah Williams (12) dribbles the ball against UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (23) during the first half in the semifinals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Jaquez’s dual-sport endeavor is not unprecedented at UCLA, which has seen several athletes successfully manage roles in multiple sports. Most recently, UCLA women’s soccer players Sydney Leroux, Kodi Lavrusky and Lauren Brzykcy debuted as pinch runners for the Bruins in 2011, 2014 and 2019, respectively.

Jaquez is not even the first Bruins women’s basketball player to don a softball uniform for the university. UCLA women’s basketball players Denise Curry, Jamie Oenning and Nicole Anderson, as well as women’s soccer players Danesha Adams, Kristy Howard, and Julie Hoshizaki, have also competed for the UCLA softball team. Additionally, Lauren Fendrick from the women’s volleyball team played a season of softball.

A UCLA spokesperson noted that Jaquez is currently one of three dual-sport athletes at UCLA, alongside JonJon Vaughns and Grant Gray, who participate in both baseball and football, respectively.

The decision for Jaquez to join the softball team comes at a pivotal time. The Bruins, fresh off winning the Pac-12 Softball Tournament Championship, are gearing up for a challenging postseason. In last year’s championship, they faced a defeat against Utah but are looking to leverage their current momentum for a deep run this year. Jaquez’s athleticism and experience under pressure are expected to be valuable assets as UCLA aims to capitalize on their recent successes.

Jaquez was staple player for the UCLA women’s basketball team, averaging 10 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists over 34 games this past season. Her ability to perform in clutch situations was highlighted by women’s basketball coach Cori Close, who noted, “Gabs always rises to the top in the most pressurized moments.”

“It’s always more important to Gabs to win than to do anything that she’s comfortable with,” Close said. “You look at over her first two years, and you look at the most pressurized moments and who was really the most comfortable in those moments.”

This article first appeared on NCAA Basketball on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: