UCLA softball just punched their ticket to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City after an intense matchup against South Carolina in the Columbia Super Regional. The Bruins secured their spot in the Series with a 5-0 victory in the final game at Beckham Field on Sunday. Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez couldn’t contain her pride, expressing her joy at the team’s accomplishment. The road to the final eight was not easy, as UCLA had to rally from being down a game to clinch the series win and head back to OKC.
The game-changer came in the form of Jordan Woolery, who kept UCLA’s season alive with a walk-off home run in Game 2. She continued her stellar performance by driving in a run with a first-inning RBI single against South Carolina’s starting pitcher, Sam Gress. Despite failing to capitalize with the bases loaded, Kaitlyn Terry stepped up on the mound. Terry pitched 5 ⅔ innings of shutout ball, allowing only two hits and striking out four batters. The Bruins’ pitching staff, led by Terry and Taylor Tinsley, held South Carolina’s offense in check, conceding only four runs on 12 hits over two games.
The team’s improvement from a rough start on Friday to a shutout victory on Sunday showcased their resilience and determination. Woolery’s critical insurance run in the fifth inning and back-to-back RBIs from Rylee Slimp and Alexis Ramirez in the seventh sealed the deal for UCLA. Despite facing some tense moments, including a near miss from South Carolina batters, the Bruins maintained their composure and secured the win. Next up, UCLA will face Oregon in the Women’s College World Series, looking to avenge their conference series loss earlier in the season. With a renewed focus and a different mindset, the Bruins are ready to take on their opponents and make a statement in OKC.
