Tennessee Lady Vols Triumph Over UCLA in WCWS Elimination Game

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The Tennessee Lady Vols celebrate their thrilling victory over UCLA in the Women's College World Series elimination game.

News Summary

The Tennessee Lady Vols defeated UCLA 5-4 in a thrilling Women’s College World Series elimination game, advancing to the semifinals to face Texas. After an intense match, Laura Mealer’s walk-off single secured Tennessee’s victory despite a dramatic comeback attempt from UCLA. The win keeps the Lady Vols’ championship hopes alive as they prepare for a challenging match against Texas, needing two wins to reach the finals.

Oklahoma City – In a thrilling Women’s College World Series (WCWS) elimination game, the Tennessee Lady Vols edged past UCLA 5-4 on June 1, 2025, showcasing their determination to stay alive in the tournament. Following this victory, Tennessee advances to the semifinals where they will face Texas on June 2.

Tennessee entered the decisive matchup with a season record of 46-16 after defeating Florida in the previous round on May 30. Meanwhile, UCLA, with a formidable record of 55-12, was hoping to rebound after losing to Texas Tech on May 31. The stakes were high; the winner of this nail-biting contest would have to face Texas and win two games to secure a spot in the championship series.

The game commenced at 3 p.m. ET at Devon Park, where high tension loomed from the onset. The broadcast was available on Fubo, which provided a free trial, along with live coverage on ESPN.

As the game unfolded, Tennessee managed to capitalize early, scoring four runs in the first five innings. Karlyn Pickens, who pitched all nine innings for Tennessee, struck out seven batters, improving her pitching record to 25-10. However, UCLA rallied back in the seventh inning with a two-run homer from Megan Grant, tying the game at 4-4 after initially trailing. This powerful hit added a layer of suspense as the match approached its conclusion.

Controversy surrounded the game when Grant’s homer became a focal point for discussion. While celebrating her home run, Grant failed to make contact with home plate, a detail that was overlooked during a 20-minute video review. Despite arguments for the play’s reversal based on NCAA rules classifying it as non-reviewable, the umpire’s call held, maintaining UCLA’s position in the game.

The ninth inning brought unparalleled tension as Tennessee found themselves with bases loaded. In a defining moment, Laura Mealer hit a walk-off single amid high pressure, successfully bringing Taylor Pannell home for the winning run. This decisive hit clinched the game for Tennessee, allowing the Lady Vols to secure their spot against Texas in the next round of the WCWS.

Looking ahead, Tennessee faces a steep challenge against Texas, having previously played them in April, where they won two out of three games. However, with their earlier loss in the tournament to the Longhorns, Tennessee will need to win twice in a row to remain in contention for the championship series.

Following their emotional victory, the Tennessee team celebrated by jumping into a pool, reflecting their camaraderie and joy after a hard-fought battle. The anticipation now mounts as they prepare to take on Texas at 11 a.m. ET on June 2 in the semifinals of the Women’s College World Series.

The Lady Vols’ remarkable performance, alongside the ups and downs of this elimination match, demonstrates the thrilling nature of collegiate softball and the intense competition present in the WCWS.