COLUMBIA —
South Carolina softball 's magical season with first-year coach Ashley Chastain Woodard came to a close with a 5-0 loss to UCLA on May 25 in Game 3 of the Columbia Super Regional. The No. 8 seed Gamecocks (45-17) were one out away from beating the No. 9 seed Bruins (54-11) on May 24 to advance to the Women's College World Series for the first time since 1997, but a two-run walk-off home run by Jordan Woolery pushed the series to a winner-take-all game. South Carolina couldn't get much going on offense in Game 3. Down 2-0, Quincee Lilo drew a walk to start the sixth and both Karley Shelton and Arianna Rodi were inches away from game-tying home runs. UCLA switched pitchers with two outs and Lexi Winters' single put another runner on but South Carolina came up empty. In the seventh, the Bruins had two on with one out when home-run threat Megan Grant stepped up to bat. Pitcher Jori Heard intentionally walked Grant and then with the bases loaded, Rylee Slimp's hit scored two runs. The Bruins tacked on one more run. UCLA advanced to its 33rd WCWS and will play No. 16 seed Oregon in Oklahoma City.
South Carolina softball live score vs. UCLA
FINAL: South Carolina 0, UCLA 5
South Carolina leaves two on. Both Arianna Rodi and Karley Shelton were inches away from respective game-tying home runs after Quincee Lilo drew a walk. Jessica Clements doubles to right field, bringing up Savannah Pola. Ashley Chastain Woodard calls timeout with a runner on second and only one out but Gress stays in. Pola's hit is caught but the throw to third is missed by Chancey who is then called for an interference as Clements tried to go home. Jori Heard comes in as relief for Gress, who struck out two, allowing one run and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. Heard starts with two outs and a UCLA runner on third. A single from Woolery makes it 2-0. Bad communication from the infield after the ball tips off Heard's glove puts Woolery on third with a single from Grant. Chancey catches the quick hit to third and UCLA leaves two on. Brooke Blakenship draws a walk to start the fifth for the Gamecocks, Abigail Knight's first pitch swing makes good contact but lands in the UCLA outfielder's glove. Vinson's hit can't land in the right spot and South Carolina leaves one on. UCLA goes three up three down to start the fourth inning. South Carolina does the same, ending the inning with no runs for either team. UCLA's Savannah Pola doubles to right field, South Carolina then intentionally walks Megan Grant but Emily Vinson gloves a foul ball to get the third out, leaving two Bruins on. Vinson then singles to right field but is left on second. UCLA with no runs, Gress strikes out one. South Carolina leaves one on, Ella Chancey logs a hit. UCLA's Jordan Woolery, who had the game-winning home run on Saturday, had an RBI single to open scoring for the day. A double play with the bases loaded ends the top of the first with three on for UCLA. Three up three down for South Carolina.
What time does South Carolina softball vs. UCLA start?
What TV channel is South Carolina softball vs. UCLA on today?
South Carolina softball starting pitcher
Sam Gress will start for South Carolina.
UCLA softball starting pitcher
Kaitlyn Terry will start for UCLA.
Columbia Super Regional schedule
How many WCWS has South Carolina softball been to?
South Carolina is trying to go to the Women's College World Series for the first time since 1997. Their other two appearances were in 1983 and 1989. UCLA has 32 WCWS appearances and has 12 national championships, the most of any Division I softball team. The Bruins last won the WCWS in 2019.
