Megan Grant, a senior standout at UCLA, has etched her name into NCAA history by smashing the single‑season home run record with 40 round‑trippers, a feat that has reverberated through both the softball and basketball arenas.
Breaking barriers on the diamond
Balancing the demands of two high‑profile programs, Grant navigated a meticulously crafted schedule arranged by her basketball coach, Kelly Inouye‑Perez, allowing her to contribute on the hardwood for 14 games before returning to the diamond where her bat became the team’s catalyst.
Her 39th and 40th homers arrived during the 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament, the latter coming on a walk‑off grand slam that propelled UCLA into the super regionals and underscored her clutch pedigree, surpassing the long‑standing mark set by Laura Espinoza.
The accomplishment has not gone unnoticed; Grant is now a finalist for the 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, and teammates such as Kiki Rice have publicly lauded her work ethic, professionalism, and the fresh perspective she gained from her time away from the softfield.
Beyond the statistics, Grant’s infectious energy has infused the Bruins’ locker rooms, earning admiration from coaches and peers alike, and positioning her as a pivotal figure as the program looks ahead to future campaigns.