Exciting Drama Unfolds at the Women’s College World Series: UCLA vs. Tennessee Elimination Game
You can now listen to Fox News articles! The Women’s College World Series (WCWS) witnessed a thrilling moment of controversy during the elimination game between UCLA and Tennessee on Sunday.
In a high-stakes situation, UCLA’s first baseman, Megan Grant, stepped up to the plate with two outs and a runner on first base. She launched a powerful hit off Volunteers pitcher Karlyn Pickens, seemingly tying the game. However, things took an unexpected turn.
A Critical Play Under Review
As Grant rounded third base, she headed for home plate, celebrating with her teammates. Unfortunately, it appeared she did not actually touch home plate, prompting a teammate to bring her back to ensure she made contact. Tennessee quickly challenged the run, leading to a review by the umpires to determine whether Grant touched home plate and if she had been "assisted" back to it.
According to NCAA college softball rules, a runner cannot receive physical assistance from a teammate to touch home plate. After the review, the umpire announced, "The call on the field is upheld and the run will score. The runner did miss home plate and was assisted. However, that play is not reviewable, according to Appendix G."
A Game-Changing Decision
This decision was a significant break for the Bruins, allowing them to extend the game. However, Tennessee responded powerfully in the bottom of the ninth inning, scoring a run to clinch the victory with a final score of 5-4. Infielder Laura Mealer delivered the game-winning hit, singling home Taylor Pannell.
With this win, Tennessee advances to the next round of the tournament, while UCLA’s journey comes to an end. The Volunteers will face Texas in the semifinals on Monday, needing to defeat the Longhorns twice to secure a spot in the championship.
Standout Performers
Despite the loss, UCLA’s Sofia Mujica and Alexis Ramirez both showcased their talent by hitting home runs during the game. On the pitching front, Karlyn Pickens delivered a standout performance, pitching all nine innings for Tennessee and striking out seven batters.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
