What happens when one of the best hitters in the country stops chasing numbers and simply commits to playing free?
In this episode of When the Cleats Come Off, Ashley sits down with Jordan Woolery, UCLA star and one of the most dominant offensive players in college softball, for a conversation about pressure, joy, simplicity, and what has fueled one of the biggest seasons of her career. Woolery entered the 2026 postseason as the Big Ten Player of the Year, with a .509 batting average, 33 home runs, and a nation-leading 106 RBIs. She also became part of the first NCAA teammate duo ever to each hit 30 or more home runs in the same season alongside Megan Grant. Â
Ashley and Jordan dig into what “Bruin magic” really means, why Jordan keeps hitting simple, how she identifies herself as a hitter, and why she actually likes hitting with two strikes. It is a conversation full of perspective for athletes who want to compete with confidence without taking themselves too seriously.
Playing Free Without Chasing the Numbers
One of the strongest themes in this conversation is Jordan’s ability to stay focused on the process instead of getting caught up in stats.
That approach is especially impressive given the kind of season she is having. Jordan led the nation in RBIs and set a UCLA single-season record with 106, while putting herself on pace to become the first NCAA player ever to hit above .500 with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in the same year. Â
Instead of letting those numbers define her, she talks about how simplifying her mindset has helped her stay free, present, and dangerous in the box. That perspective offers an important lesson for hitters who tend to overcomplicate things when pressure rises.
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What “Bruin Magic” Really Means
Ashley and Jordan also talk about the energy and belief that have come to define UCLA’s 2026 postseason push.
Jordan shares what “Bruin magic” feels like from the inside and how the team’s identity, chemistry, and confidence have helped fuel big performances throughout the season. That same confidence has shown up in the way UCLA’s offense has exploded, with Jordan and Megan Grant making history as the first NCAA teammates ever to each hit 30-plus home runs in the same season. Â
This part of the conversation gives listeners a better sense of how team environment and belief shape individual freedom at the plate.
Knowing Who You Are as a Hitter
Jordan also offers great insight into how she sees herself offensively.
Rather than trying to be everything at once, she talks about identifying what kind of hitter she is and leaning into her strengths. That clarity has been a huge part of her success and is one reason she has been able to keep her approach so simple, even in the middle of a record-setting season.
Her reflections on playing alongside Megan Grant also add another interesting layer to the episode. Jordan talks about the impact of hitting next to another elite bat and how that experience has sharpened her own game.
Why She Likes Having Two Strikes
One of the most fun and valuable parts of the episode is Jordan’s take on hitting with two strikes.
Instead of seeing it as a disadvantage, she explains why she actually likes being in that situation and how her two-strike approach helps her stay loose, focused, and dangerous. That mindset says a lot about the confidence and maturity behind her game.
For hitters who get tight when the count changes, this part of the conversation is especially worth hearing.
Joy, Pressure, and Not Taking Yourself Too Seriously
Jordan’s season has been historic, but one of the most impressive parts of her story is the joy she continues to bring to the field.
She talks about how she has learned to enjoy the moment, handle pressure with perspective, and not let the weight of expectations steal the fun from the game. That ability to stay light while still competing at such a high level is a huge part of what makes this episode so compelling.
As she closes out her senior postseason run and prepares to enter the professional softball world, her mindset offers a model for athletes who want to chase excellence without losing themselves in the process.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- What “Bruin magic” means inside UCLA’s postseason run
How belief, chemistry, and confidence shape team performance. - Why Jordan does not let stats control her mindset
Keeping hitting simple even during a historic season. - How she identifies herself as a hitter and plays to her strengths
Building clarity and trust in her offensive identity. - What hitting alongside Megan Grant has meant for her game
Learning and growing next to another elite hitter. - Why she actually likes hitting with two strikes
A refreshing and confident approach to pressure situations. - How she plays with so much joy
Competing freely and not taking herself too seriously.
About
Jordan Woolery
Jordan Woolery is a UCLA standout and one of the most dominant hitters in college softball. She was named the 2026 Big Ten Player of the Year after a record-setting senior season in which she hit .509 with 33 home runs and 106 RBIs, leading the nation in RBIs and setting a new UCLA single-season record in the category. She also became just the third Bruin to win both a conference Freshman of the Year award and a Player of the Year award, after first breaking through as the 2023 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Â
A former top-three national recruit, Woolery has also earned national recognition as a USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year top-25 finalist and helped make NCAA history alongside Megan Grant as part of the first teammate duo ever to each hit 30 or more home runs in the same season.
