The quickest path to first base is the pitcher drilling you with the ball, it advances you in 0.00 seconds without a swing of a bat. UCLA Freshman Kaniya Bragg has been hit by 20 pitches this season, the second highest mark in the NCAA. On top of standing in and taking her hits, Bragg has put together a strong freshman campaign that’s helped UCLA to a 9 seed in this year's NCAA tournament.

Bragg is hitting .324 on the season and sports an on-base plus slugging (OPS) greater than one, while starting 57 of UCLA’s 59 games. Listed as a utility, Bragg most often plays Shortstop and functions as the key central cog of UCLA’s defense. She’s picked up 72 assists on defense, crediting her with helping put out that many runners this season.

Her early-season form was strong, earning a Big Ten Freshman of the Week award at the beginning of March. The awards and hype cooled since then, but the production on offense has remained consistent.

Of course, Bragg can get on base the normal way, by hitting the ball. She’s rounding into her best form at the right time, picking up a 6th-inning home run against Nebraska during the Big Ten Tournament. Though she struggled to hit for average during conference play, Bragg still slugged very well, picking up the same 18 RBIs as veteran leader Jordan Woolery.

As a freshman, Bragg has been called on for consistency and power by the nation’s most storied program; she’s responded with clutch play and consistent value added even when struggling.

Bragg hails from Southern California, growing up in Garden Grove, less than an hour from Brentwood (without traffic).

Southern California’s comfort has the additional benefit of being familiar with Bragg’s domination. She was both the LA Times and California Inter-Scholastic Federation Softball player of the year before heading to UCLA.

Now the regional round begins, and Bragg will have to keep pace in a higher-intensity environment. Coaches will have been able to see Bragg’s approach and game plan for her in detail. She’ll be facing San Diego State, which UCLA has no-hit this season already, as well as UCSB and Arizona State.

However, with a runway, hall of fame coaching, and proven consistency producing, Kaniya Bragg and UCLA’s freshmen are poised to make an impact in this NCAA tournament.