UCLA Softball Walk-Off Thriller vs. UCF Propels Bruins to 2026 Women’s College World Series

No. 8 seed UCLA softball puts UCF on the brink after emphatic Game 1 win; Game 2 tonight at Easton Stadium LOS ANGELES — UCLA softball is one victory away from its 13th trip to the Women’s College World Series. The Bruins dismantled UCF 9-1 in five innings Friday to open the NCAA Super Regional and can clinch the best-of-three series in Game 2 tonight (7 p.m. PT, ESPN2/ESPN+). Dominant pitching, lethal middle of order • Sophomore right-hander Taylor Tinsley fanned seven and scattered three hits, improving to 21-3. • National Player of the Year Jordan Woolery belted a three-run shot in the first, her 27th of the season, while fellow slugger Megan Grant added a two-run blast that tied the NCAA single-season record before she broke it a week earlier in the Big Ten Tournament final. • The Bruins have now scored 8-plus runs in six of their last seven postseason games. What’s at stake in Game 2 A win secures UCLA’s first WCWS berth since 2024 and keeps head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez on pace for a record-extending 13th national crown. A loss would force a decisive Game 3 on Sunday (time TBA). UCF’s uphill battle The Knights, making just their second Super Regional appearance, must neutralize a Bruin lineup averaging 9.6 runs in the tournament. UCF ace Sarah Willis (18-9) is expected to start after throwing only 34 pitches in Game 1 relief. How to watch and attend • TV/Streaming: ESPN2 and ESPN+ • Radio: UCLA LeanOn broadcast (uclaBruins.com) • Tickets: Limited seats remain via uclaBruins.com/tickets Key Bruins to know 1. Jordan Woolery – Softball America National POY, leads Big Ten in AVG (.457) and RBI (83). 2. Megan Grant – NCAA HR record-holder (35), three straight multi-HR games in regionals. 3. Taylor Tinsley – 1.38 ERA, 196 K; opponents batting .171. X-factors • Speed at the top: Freshman Kylie Chavez (29 steals) set the tone with a leadoff drag bunt Friday. • Easton Stadium dimensions favor UCLA’s power; Bruins have out-homered visitors 67-14 at home. • UCF’s bullpen depth: Knights used three pitchers in Game 1 and have a collective 4.21 ERA in May. Quote of the day “We played Bruin softball—strike first, strike hard. Now we finish,” Inouye-Perez said postgame. SEO-friendly FAQs Q: When is the UCLA vs. UCF softball Game 2? A: Saturday, May 23 at 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET) from Easton Stadium in Los Angeles. Q: How can I stream UCLA softball tonight? A: The game is on ESPN2; cord-cutters can watch via ESPN+ or services like YouTube TV and Hulu Live. Q: What happens if UCLA wins Game 2? A: The Bruins advance to the 2026 Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. Q: Who holds UCLA’s home run record? A: Megan Grant set both the UCLA and NCAA single-season record with 35 homers. Why it matters UCLA already tops Division I history with 12 NCAA titles, but a 13th would further cement Westwood’s dynasty in its inaugural Big Ten season. With Woolery swinging a scorching bat and Grant rewriting the record books, the Bruins look primed for another June run—if they can finish the job against UCF tonight.