LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- UCLA defeated Arizona 3-2 on Friday night at Easton Stadium to sweep the Los Angeles Super Regional and advance to the Women's College World Series.

Arizona's season came to and end in the Super Regionals for the fifth consecutive season. UA finished the season with a 43-16 record. It also brought an end to the careers of three Wildcats, seniors Aleah Craighton, Ashleigh Hughes and Robyn Porter.

The Wildcats took an early 2-0 lead on an Alyssa Palomino homer in the first, but single runs by the Bruins in the second, third and fourth innings gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead that they would not relinquish.

Taylor McQuillin took the loss for Arizona, pitching seven innings and allowing three runs on eight hits with five walks and four strikeouts. McQuillin finished her junior season 28-12. The first-team all-conference and all-region performer ends her season as the nation's leader with 15 shutouts, though that total may be equaled or bettered in the final two weeks of NCAA softball.

For the second straight night, Rachel Garcia earned the win for UCLA. She gave up two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts. Garcia, one of four finalists for USA Softball Player of the Year improved to 27-3 on the season.

UA will now turn its attention to 2019; Arizona will return seven offensive starters, four pitchers and 17 total letterwinners from this year's Tucson Regional Championship squad. Arizona will also debut a brand new version of Hillenbrand Stadium in 2019. Construction is set to begin next week in Tucson.

In the bottom of the first, Alyssa Palomino hit a two-run home run to right field to give the Wildcats the early lead.

Two walks and a single loaded the bases for UCLA in the top of the second with one out. McQuillin hit the next batter to bring in a run, but struck out the next two to strand the bases loaded and keep the Wildcats on top.

UCLA tied the game in the top of the third with a two-out, two-strike single to left by Bubba Nickles and then took the lead in the top of the fourth with another two-out, two-strike single from Aaliyah Jordan.