The No. 9 seed UCLA Bruins softball team kicked off their 33rd Women’s College World Series appearance with a thrilling 3-2 victory over the No. 16 seed Oregon Ducks on May 29 2025 at Devon Park. A walk-off homer by Jessica Clements sealed the win in a dramatic Big Ten showdown. Here’s the latest on UCLA’s quest for their 13th national title.
Game Highlights: Bruins Edge Ducks
The Bruins (54-11 17-5 Big Ten) faced a tough Oregon squad (53-8 19-3) in a rematch of their April series where the Ducks took two of three games. UCLA struck first in the fifth inning taking a 2-1 lead with hits from stars Jordan Woolery and Megan Grant. Oregon tied it in the sixth but Clements delivered the game-winning homer in the seventh sparking wild celebrations. Pitcher Kaitlyn Terry was clutch striking out eight and holding Oregon to one hit in the final two innings. Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez praised her team’s grit saying “Our best is still coming”.
The win advances UCLA to the winners’ bracket to face the victor of Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss on May 31 at 7 p.m. PT on ESPN. A loss would have sent them to the losers’ bracket against the same matchup’s defeated team.
UCLA’s Road to Oklahoma City
UCLA punched their ticket to the WCWS after a dramatic Columbia Super Regional comeback against No. 8 South Carolina. Down 9-2 in Game 1 the Bruins rallied with a 5-4 Game 2 win fueled by Woolery’s walk-off two-run homer. They sealed the series with a 5-0 shutout in Game 3 led by Clements’ three runs and Woolery’s two RBIs. The series showcased UCLA’s powerhouse offense with Grant and Woolery combining for 47 home runs and 161 RBIs this season a program record.
The Bruins’ pitching trio of Taylor Tinsley Kaitlyn Terry and Addisen Fisher each with over 100 strikeouts and sub-2.65 ERAs has been a backbone. Senior Jada Cecil’s 1.22 ERA in limited innings adds depth.
Bruins are chasing their first championship since 2019
UCLA’s 33rd WCWS appearance is an NCAA record and their ninth in the last 10 years. With 12 national titles the most in Division I history the Bruins are chasing their first championship since 2019. Despite Oklahoma’s four-year title streak often eliminating UCLA fans on X, celebrating “Bruin Magic.” Others note the upset-heavy 2025 tournament with No. 1 Texas A&M falling early gives UCLA a real shot.
UCLA faces their next challenge on May 31 with their dynamic duo of Grant (.377 25 HRs 79 RBIs) and Woolery (.423 22 HRs 82 RBIs) leading the charge. The double-elimination format means every game is critical. Fans can stream the action on ESPN+ or Fubo.
