Los Angeles, CA (U-WIRE) -- OKLAHOMA CITY - Down by a run to California in the late innings on Thursday, the UCLA softball team needed a boost, a shot in the arm, something to change the momentum.

And the Bruins got it from an unlikely source when Ashley Herrera, the ninth hitter in UCLA's lineup, hit a game-tying home run that propelled the Bruins to a 2-1 comeback win over the Golden Bears in their first game at the Women's College World Series on Thursday.

Before Herrera's fifth-inning blast, UCLA looked like a team in disarray. The Bruins had made a few defensive miscues and could not solve Cal pitcher Kelly Anderson, but Herrera's round-tripper changed the complexion of the game.

"What Ashley did wasn't only a momentum changer," UCLA coach Sue Enquist said. "It was more than that, considering what teams normally expect out of that spot in the order."

After losing its first game of the previous two postseason series, No. 7 UCLA (37-18) has given itself an easier path to the championship series by defeating No. 2 Cal (52-14). Had they lost, UCLA would have had to win four games over a span of two days to advance. But now, the Bruins will face No. 11 Tennessee today, and if they win, will only need one more victory to make it to the championship series.

"It's definitely a relief," said UCLA catcher Emily Zaplatosch, who had a hit, walk and sacrifice bunt in three plate appearances. "Coming back from being down 1-0, it brings us back to the past couple of weekends and how we had proven to ourselves that we were able to come back from whatever hole we dug ourselves."

After Herrera's home run evened the score at 1-1, UCLA showed new life, playing tight defense while pitcher Anjelica Selden stifled Cal's batters. The Bruin hitters knocked pitcher Kelly Anderson out in the sixth inning after getting two runners on base and no out.

Cal reliever Kristina Thorson, one of the most feared pitchers in the country, came into the game recording two quick outs. But with two outs, UCLA right fielder Krista Colburn tagged Thorson for an RBI single up the middle to give the Bruins the lead.

"She's actually from my area in Washington, so I've had previous experience facing her," Colburn said. "I was almost relieved to see a familiar face."

Thorson's relief appearance didn't take the Bruins by surprise, as the Bears are one of the few elite teams that rely on two dominant pitchers - Anderson and Thorson.

But Selden, the Bruins' ace, didn't require a respite on Thursday. Once again, Selden dominated in the circle, allowing only three hits and limiting one of the country's most potent lineups to one unearned run. But it could've been worse.

After cleanly fielding center fielder Kaleo Eldredge's dribbler to the pitching circle, Selden threw the ball away and Cal's Vicky Galindo raced home to give the Bears an early 1-0 lead.

After Selden committed the error, she still had to get out of the third inning unscathed to keep UCLA within striking distance.

Although one of Selden's weaknesses during the season was rebounding after a mistake, she was steady the rest of the way.

"She held her composure out there and she got out of it," Enquist said. "(Selden) did a great job for us out there today."

The rest of the team held its composure as well. The Bruins never looked like they were panicking, partly because they have made a habit out of coming from behind in so many key games this year.

"I'm so proud of this team," Enquist said. "They knew there was still a lot of softball to be played and they've been through so much this year and built confidence in themselves."

Selden is just one of the many UCLA players who have had to improve as the year has gone on to lead UCLA back to the World Series. It has been a season in which a different Bruin has given the team a big boost at a crucial moment during the game.

And Thursday, it was Herrera's turn.

"It was big in that it made a difference," Herrera said. "It was a really great feeling, and it felt great to make a difference in the World Series and to help the team get some momentum going."

(C) 2004 Daily Bruin via U-WIRE