UCLA Softball Qualifies for Women's College World Series Championship
UCLA Softball Advances to Women's College World Series
The UCLA Bruins have secured a spot in the 2025 Women's College World Series (WCWS) following a thrilling comeback in the Columbia Super Regional. The Bruins rallied from a game down, defeating South Carolina in the final matchup 5-0 at Beckham Field on Sunday.
"I couldn't be more proud," UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. "To be able to be a final eight [team] is a goal, and the ability to overcome day one is because they [players] were so committed to the process and allowed them to take a trip back to OKC."
After Jordan Woolery kept UCLA's (54-11) season alive with a walk-off home run in Game 2, she continued her stellar performance in Game 3 with an RBI single in the first inning against South Carolina (44-17) starting pitcher Sam Gress. Despite leaving runners on base during the early stages of the game, Kaitlyn Terry ensured the early tally was sufficient with a standout pitching performance.
Terry pitched 5 2⁄3 innings of two-hit shutout ball, striking out four batters. She limited South Carolina's offense all day, giving up only one runner into scoring position through the first five innings. Taylor Tinsley, who started on Saturday, replaced Terry and surrendered only one additional runner into scoring position for the Bruins' final two victories.
Terry attributed her success to simple adjustments. "I think honestly it was justspinning the ball and trusting my stuff," she said.
The Bruins' pitching strengthened as the series progressed, allowing just nine runs and 26 hits across the three games. UCLA now awaits their opening matchup in the WCWS. They will face No. 16 seed Oregon in their first game on Thursday, May 29, at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
In other news, the NBA Playoffs Conference Finals are ongoing, with both the Western and Eastern Conferences at a critical juncture. In the Western Conference, the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder and the No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves are tied at 2-2. The Eastern Conference playoff series matches No. 3 New York Knicks against No. 4 Indiana Pacers, also tied at 2-2. The WARRIORS and the LAKERS are also actively competing against their opponents in their respective conference finals.
Stay tuned for updates on these exciting playoff matches, as well as other sports news as it develops.
- The Dodgers, a baseball team based in Los Angeles, California, are steadfastly competing in the NBA Playoffs Conference Finals, showing their prowess in both sports.
- As the UCLA Bruins prepare for their Women's College World Series debut, they will face the University of Oregon, adding another exciting sports battleground in the state of California.
- Environmental initiatives in California remain crucial, as the warmer climate threatens outdoor sports facilities like Beckham Field, where the UCLA Softball team secured their spot in the WCWS.
- Meanwhile, at the USC Gould School of Law, students continue their academic pursuits, no doubt following the success of the UCLA Bruins with renewed school spirit.
- In the midst of the thrilling sports season, law enforcement in Los Angeles are keeping vigilant, ensuring the safety of fans attending the Dodgers' games and the upcoming WCWS matches at the iconic Rose Bowl stadium.
