Megan Grant is a UCLA softball player known for extraordinary power at the plate and a strong team mindset. Her season includes an NCAA-record 40 home runs through 147 at-bats, averaging a home run every 3.68 at-bats. Her production is compared with past MLB home run rates, including Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds. When asked about the milestone, she emphasizes gratitude and avoids seeking individual fame. She is also recognized as a founding member of softball’s 40-home run club, reaching her 40th homer in her 58th game and adding her seventh career grand slam in an NCAA regional final win over South Carolina. She previously contributed to UCLA’s first NCAA basketball championship as a reserve and now supports younger teammates while pursuing another title.
"Heard about Grant? She's the UCLA softball player who's hit an NCAA-record 40 home runs (so far) this season. Forty! In 147 at-bats! That's a home run every 3.68 at-bats! If you're wondering, Mark McGwire hit a home run every 7.3 at-bats in 1998, the year he finished with 70. And Barry Bonds went deep every 6.52 at-bats in 2001, when he hit his MLB-record 73 home runs."
"Whenever she gets asked about her historic home runs, the red-hot, red-haired hitter is like, shucks: "I mean, it's incredible," she said. "I'm just honestly blessed to be able to say the number 40. But, yeah, that's all I can say." She just wants to be thought of as a hard worker and a good teammate. But what Grant is going to be remembered for most is as the founding member of softball's 40-home run club."
"Her 40th home run came in her 58th game this season and on her seventh career grand slam - Grant Slam? - in the Bruins' NCAA regional final victory over South Carolina last weekend. Forty, a round number of round-trippers with a ring to it. And a sweet echo coming so soon after the Bruins women's basketball team won its first NCAA championship, history to which Grant also contributed as a reserve before softball beckoned."
"Side quest completed, the left-handed-hitting senior stepped back into the box to help the Bruins chase a 13th championship on the softball field. Grant is soaking up the experience, and encouraging her younger teammates to, too: "'Enjoy this, it's so rare to be here' ... an"
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