Thrilling 15-Minute Replay: Vols Triumph Over Bruins in WCWS Showdown!

In a thrilling matchup, the Tennessee Lady Vols edged out UCLA 5-4, thanks to a walk-off single by Laura Mealer in the ninth inning. This dramatic finish propelled Tennessee into the semifinals of the Women’s College World Series (WCWS).

One of the highlights—and lowlights—of the game was a replay review in the seventh inning that paused play for nearly 15 minutes. Tennessee’s coach, Karen Weekly, expressed pride in her team’s resilience during the intense contest. “That was one of the most thrilling games I’ve ever coached,” she said after the nearly three-and-a-half-hour match.

With two outs in the seventh, UCLA’s Megan Grant hit a home run that seemed to tie the game at 4-4. However, replay showed that she had missed home plate during her celebration. After officials reviewed the play, they upheld the home run, saying that the mistake wasn’t “reviewable” by the rules, much to the confusion of many. “We saw in the dugout that she had missed the plate,” Weekly pointed out, emphasizing the controversial nature of the call.

The game continued, with Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens putting up an impressive performance on the mound, allowing four runs while striking out seven. Her strong showing kept the Bruin’s at bay after Grant’s home run, setting the stage for Tennessee’s comeback.

Tennessee’s game-winning rally began in the ninth with a lead-off double from Taylor Pannell. Four batters later, Mealer drove home Pannell with a sharp single to left field. Reflecting on the moment, Mealer said, “It felt like 25 of us against the pitcher.” Coach Weekly’s reassurance during that high-pressure moment helped calm her nerves, allowing her to focus on moving the game forward.

This kind of competitive spirit is part of what makes the WCWS so exciting. The 2025 season has seen many stand-out moments, with increasing viewership and engagement on social media platforms. According to recent data, over 2 million fans tuned in to watch the tournament online, showing a growing interest in women’s college sports.

The Lady Vols now face No. 6 Texas in the semifinals, needing two victories to secure their spot in the finals for the third time in program history. With the stakes high, fans can expect nothing less than an exhilarating match-up ahead.

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