The 2025 Women’s College World Series field has yet another semifinalist.
Laura Mealer served as the hero for the Lady Vols, drilling a line-drive single to left field with the bases loaded and one out to bring home teammate Taylor Pannell for the game-winning run.
With the win, Tennessee will advance to take on No. 6 Texas in the semifinal at noon on June 2. It would need to defeat the Longhorns twice to advance to the best-of-three-game championship series, which is scheduled to start on June 4.
Watch UCLA vs Tennessee softball, Women’s College World Series on Fubo (free trial)
UCLA, which was coming off a 3-1 loss to NiJaree Canady and Texas Tech in the winner’s bracket on Saturday, has been knocked out of the double-elimination tournament.
The Lady Vols led 4-2 heading into the seventh inning, but allowed a two-run home run to Megan Grant. Grant, however, appeared to not initially touch home plate before being mobbed by her teammates. At a teammate’s prompting, she went back and touched the plate, but the play was challenged by Tennessee and ultimately upheld, with officials determining that while Grant didn’t touch the base, the play was not subject to review based on Appendix G of the NCAA Softball Rule Book. The decision sent the game into extra innings.
Tennessee previously avoided elimination by defeating its SEC rival Florida by a run-rule 11-3 margin on May 30. The Vols left no doubt by plating seven runs in the opening inning and then doing enough to finish the game in five innings. The best part for them, ace Karlyn Pickens, threw one inning and then earned a much-needed rest.
Here’s a look at the score, updates and highlights from the WCWS elimination game between UCLA and Tennessee:
UCLA vs Tennessee live score
UCLA vs Tennessee live updates
Final: Tennessee 5, UCLA 4
Laura Mealer plays the role of hero for Tennessee, drilling a game-winning RBI single to left field with the bases loaded and one out to lift the Lady Vols past UCLA 5-4 in the ninth inning.
Tennessee will take on Texas Monday while UCLA’s season is over.
Megan Grant walked intentionally
Tennessee walks Megan Grant intentionally and then Karlyn Pickens gets Alexis Ramirez to ground out to first on the first pitch to end the threat with the bases loaded. Tennessee has another chance to walk it off.
Savannah Pola two-out single keeps UCLA 9th alive
Savannah Pola with a two-out single that sneaks past Tennessee shortstop Laura Mealer for a base hit. That brings up Bruins’ star hitter Jordan Woolery to the plate. Woolery singles through the right side.
It’s first and third, two outs for the ninth inning hero, Megan Grant.
End of eighth inning: Tennessee 4, UCLA 4
Tennessee strands 2; game heads to 9th inning
Despite having a chance to walk it off with runners on first and third, two outs, the Lady Vols cannot capitalize on the opportunity. Gabby Leach flies out to left field to end the inning. We are still tied 4-4 heading to the ninth inning.
Clarke reaches on error
After Mealer and Leach each ground out to Bragg at shortstop, she misses a sure out on a defensive miscue. Saviya Morgan singles to centerfield in the next at-bat to advance Clarke to third.
1-2-3 inning for UCLA
Pickens forces three straight groundouts to Slimp, Bragg and Mujica in the 6-7-8 spots of the UCLA lineup. Tennessee once again heads up to bat with a chance to walk off the Bruins. Mealer, Leach and Clarke are up in the 6-7-8 spots for the Lady Vols.
Gibson lines into double play
Tennessee’s McKenna Gibson rips a line straight to UCLA’s Jordan Woolery, who turns the double play and catches Pannell at second to end the inning. Incredible play to extend the game with momentum on Tennessee’s side.
UCLA intentionally walks Sophia Nugent
The Bruins want none of Nugent, and intentionally walk her to put runners on first and second.
Taylor Pannell fouls, then walks
Tennessee’s Pannell nearly walks off UCLA, but her would-be homer goes foul. She walks on a full count and advances to second off an Ella Dodge sac bunt. Vols have one out and a runner in scoring position.
End of seventh inning: Tennessee 4, UCLA 4
Alexis Ramirez grounds out to end seventh inning
Alexis Ramirez grounds out to end the inning. We are headed to the bottom of the seventh inning in a 4-4 tie. The Lady Vols can walk it off with a run.
Tennessee files protest
Tennessee coach Karen Weekly has filed for a protest following the unsuccessful challenge. According to the ABC broadcast, the Lady Vols cannot file a protest because the play was not reviewable.
Calling on the field is upheld
The home run stands and it is a tie ball game. After a lengthy review, it’s ruled the call is upheld.
‘The runner missed home plate and was assisted. However, that play is not reviewable according to Appendage G,’ according to the umpires.
Tennessee challenges if Megan Grant touched home plate after home run
Tennessee is challenging if Megan Grant touched home plate after hitting her home run. It appears she missed the plate on the first look but then went back and touched the plate. But according to the rules expert, she could be called out if she received assistance from her teammate to touch home.
Megan Grant ties game with two-run home run
Down to its final out, Megan Grant takes a first pitch swing from Karlyn Pickens and knocks it out of the park to tie the game 4-4 in the top of the seventh inning.
Jordan Woolery collected a two-out single to set up the heroics from Grant.
End of sixth inning: Tennessee 4, UCLA 2
Tennessee 3 outs away from WCWS semifinal
Despite getting the lead-off hitter on via a hit-by -pitch, the Lady Vols are not able to add any insurance runs in the inning after Taylor Tinsley records three straight outs.
Karlyn Pickens and Tennessee will face the top of the UCLA order in the top of the seventh inning.
Taylor Tinsley relieves Kaitlyn Terry in circle for UCLA
Kaitlyn Terry hits Alannah Leach on an 0-2 count to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. Taylor Tinsley will come on to relieve Terry in the circle. Terry will actually move to right field instead of being removed altogether.
Emma Clarke is up for the Lady Vols.
Tennessee challenge ends UCLA threat in sixth
Tennessee successfully challenges that Kaitlyn Terry was out of the runner’s lane, causing an error on a throw from pitcher Karlyn Pickens to the first baseman and allowing Terry to reach. That results in the third out of the inning.
UCLA would have had runners on first and third with two outs for the top of the order if the challenge had not been successful. The Bruins are down to their final three outs.
End of fifth inning: Tennessee 4, UCLA 2
Tennessee is 6 outs away from CWS semifinal appearance
Following a two-run home run from Taylor Pannell in the bottom of the fifth inning, Tennessee is ahead of UCLA 4-2. The Lady Vols need to record six more outs to get back to the WCWS semifinals vs. No. 7 Texas.
That was a good bounce back by Kaitlyn Terry to get Laura Mealer to ground out to end the inning with runners on second and third.
Taylor Pannell gives Tennessee lead with 2-run home run
Taylor Pannell takes the first pitch she sees in the bottom of the fifth inning to left field for a two-run home run to give Tennessee a 4-2 lead. The ball flies 69.5 mph off the bat. Gabby Leach had a single up the middle with one out preceding the homer.
UCLA leaves bases loaded
UCLA potentially misses out on a huge scoring opportunity. Karlyn Pickens strikes out Alexis Ramirez with the bases loaded and two outs to escape the jam and strand three runners on base. Pickens walked Megan Grant with runners on second and third to load the bases.
It was a bold move considering Ramirez went deep off Pickens earlier in the game, but it did set up a righty vs. righty situation.
End of fourth inning: Tennessee 2, UCLA 2
Kaitlyn Terry, Karlyn Pickens in pitcher’s duel
Following a fast start for both offenses, both Kaitlyn Terry and Karlyn Pickens have settled in for a pitcher’s duel.
Terry has retired seven straight batters and 10 of the last 11 she has faced since a two-RBI single by Laura Mealer in the first inning. Terry has six strikeouts and one walk (an intentional walk) in four innings of work.
Meanwhile, Pickens has five strikeouts and two walks in her four innings. Sofia Mujica’s home run in the second inning was the last hit she allowed.
End of third inning: Tennessee 2, UCLA 2
Kaitlyn Terry strikes out pair in 1-2-3 third inning
Kaitlyn Terry strikes out Sophia Nugent and McKenna Gibson back-to-back in a 1-2-3 bottom of the third inning. Terry has retired four straight batters and seven of the last eight hitters since the Laura Mealer two-RBI single in the first inning.
Alexis Ramirez, who hit a solo home run in the second inning, leads off the fourth for the Bruins.
Karlyn Pickens bounce back in third inning
A nice bounce back inning for Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens after allowing two home runs in the second inning. Pickens works around a one-out walk to Jordan Woolery for a scoreless third inning.
End of second inning: Tennessee 2, UCLA 2
Sofia Mujica ties game with home run
Freshman DP Sofia Mujica takes another high riseball and hits it over the center field wall to tie the game at 2-2 with a home run. This is the first time Karlyn Pickens has allowed two home runs in an inning this season.
Alexis Ramirez hits home run for UCLA
Alexis Ramirez takes a riseball from Karlyn Pickens and drives it out to left field for a solo home run to get one run back for the Bruins.
End of first inning: Tennessee 2, UCLA 0
Tennessee strikes first vs UCLA
Tennessee’s offense strikes first off a two-RBI single by Laura Mealer with the bases loaded and two outs. UCLA opted to walk McKenna Gibson with two runners in scoring position.
Taylor Pannell and Ella Dodge had back-to-back singles with one out and advanced to scoring position on a flyball to center field, in which outfielders Jessica Clements and Liesl Osteen nearly collided.
Laura Mealer gives Tennessee early lead
Laura Mealer makes UCLA pay for walking McKenna Gibson to load the bases. With two outs, she hits a two-RBI single to center field.
Infield flyball rule ends UCLA inning with double play
UCLA’s Jessica Clements had a leadoff single, and Jordan Woolery added a one-out single, but the UCLA threat ends due to the infield fly rule. Megan Grant popped out behind short, but Laura Mealer struggled with the sun and dropped the ball. The umpire called it an infield fly, which means the batter is out and runners can advance at their own risk.
Tennessee center fielder Kinsey Fiedler threw out Clements trying to advance to third base for the third out.
Tennessee-UCLA WCWS matchup underway
Karlyn Pickens fires the first pitch of the Tennessee-UCLA matchup for a strike and we are underway here at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
Pregame
UCLA-Tennessee first pitch is set for 2:15 p.m.
UCLA will bat first, serving as the designated away team. That means the Bruins will begin the game at the plate against Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens.
First pitch is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
Tennessee starting lineup
Here’s a look at the Lady Vols’ starting lineup for today’s elimination game against UCLA:
Gabby Leach, RF
Taylor Pannell, 3B
Ella Dodge, 2B
Sophia Nugent, C
McKenna Gibson, 1B
Laura Mealer, SS
Alannah Leach, LF
Emma Clarke, DP
Kinsey Fielder, CF
Starting pitcher: Karlyn Pickens
UCLA starting lineup
Here’s a look at the Bruins’ starting lineup for today’s elimination game against Tennessee:
Jessica Clements, CF
Savannah Pola, 2B
Jordan Woolery, 3B
Megan Grant, 1B
Alexis Ramirez, C
Rylee Slimp, LF
Kaniya Bragg, SS
Sofia Mujica, DP
Kaitlyn Terry, P
Liesel Osteen, RF*
* Won’t be in the batting lineup.
Karlyn Pickens’ tournament stats
Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens has been in top form in the NCAA softball tournament, allowing 10 earned runs on 23 hits in 37 1/3 innings of work to go along with 59 strikeouts and 13 walks.
Pickens lasted just one inning against Florida in her last outing, being relieved after the Lady Vols built up a 7-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
UCLA defeated Tennessee in an early-season tournament game
The Bruins earned a 4-3 win over the Vols in the most recent meeting in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California on Feb. 22. Tennessee scored three first inning runs and held the lead into the fifth inning.
Karlyn Pickens limited the Bruins’ offense until the fifth inning when they loaded the bases against her. Karen Weekly pulled Pickens for Sage Mardjetko, who allowed all four runs to score, including a three-run homer by Jordan Woolery to give UCLA the lead.
UCLA vs Tennessee softball history
UCLA leads the all-time series against Tennessee softball 10-4. The Bruins have won four in a row against the Lady Vols. They have split their two previous matchups in the WCWS: The Lady Vols defeated the Bruins 4-3 in 2006, while UCLA earned a 3-1 win in 2005.
What time does UCLA vs Tennessee softball start?
Date: Sunday, June 1
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Where: Devon Park (Oklahoma City)
First pitch for UCLA and Tennessee’s softball game in the 2025 Women’s College World Series is set for 3 p.m. ET from Devon Park in Oklahoma City on June 1.
What TV channel is UCLA vs Tennessee softball WCWS game today?
TV: ABC
Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+
Sunday’s WCWS elimination game between UCLA and Tennessee will air on ESPN. Beth Mowins, Michele Smith and Jessica Mendoza will have the call, while Holly Rowe serves as the sideline reporter.
Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app, which requires a valid cable login to access, and ESPN+, the latter of which serves as ESPN’s subscription streaming service.
UCLA softball schedule 2025
Below is UCLA softball’s postseason schedule. For the Bruins’ full schedule, click here.
Los Angeles Regional
Friday, May 16: No. 9 UCLA 9, UC Santa Barbara 1 (6 innings)
Saturday, May 17: No. 9 UCLA 10, San Diego State 0 (6 innings)
Sunday, May 18: No. 9 UCLA 12, UC Santa Barbara 1 (5 innings)
Columbia Super Regional
Friday, May 23: No. 8 South Carolina 9, No. 9 UCLA 2
Saturday, May 24: No. 9 UCLA 5, No. 8 South Carolina 4
Sunday, May 25: No. 9 UCLA 5, No. 8 South Carolina 0
WCWS
Thursday, May 29: No. 9 UCLA 4, No. 16 Oregon 2
Saturday, May 31: No. 12 Texas Tech 3, No. 9 UCLA 1
Sunday, June 1: No. 9 UCLA vs. No. 7 Tennessee (3 p.m. ET)
Tennessee softball schedule 2025
Below is Tennessee softball’s postseason schedule. For the Lady Vols’ full schedule, click here.
Knoxville Regional
Friday, May 16: No. 7 Tennessee 17, Miami (Ohio) 0 (5 innings)
Saturday, May 17: No. 7 Tennessee 4, Ohio State 2
Sunday, May 18: No. 7 Tennessee 5, Ohio State 0
Knoxville Super Regional
Friday, May 23: Nebraska 5, No. 7 Tennessee 2
Saturday, May 24: No. 7 Tennessee 3, Nebraska 2
Sunday, May 25: No. 7 Tennessee 1, Nebraska 0
WCWS
Thursday, May 29: No. 2 Oklahoma 4, No. 7 Tennessee 2
Friday, May 30: No. 7 Tennessee 11, No. 3 Florida (5 innings)
Sunday, June 1: No. 7 Tennessee vs. UCLA (3 p.m. ET)
WCWS schedule
Women’s College World Series: May 29-June 5/6
WCWS finals: June 4-5/6
The Women’s College World Series began May 29 and will run through either June 5 or June 6. The WCWS three-game championship series will begin on June 4 and end on June 5 or 6, depending on whether the series concludes in two or three games.