UCLA softball vs Alabama recap: Jordan Woolery home run lifts Bruins to win in WCWS opener
Two weeks into the season, it looked the sky was falling on the UCLA softball team.
Injuries piled up, as did the losses in a 3-4 start for the Bruins that included consecutive run-rule losses to Texas and Oklahoma State.
Three and a half months later, the Bruins (42-10) are rolling into the Women's College World Series with a 13-game winning streak.
"I believe we're battle tested," said UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez, whose sixth-seeded Bruins will face 14th-seeded Alabama in the opener at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Here's what you need to know about the Bruins and Crimson Tide (38-18):
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FINAL: UCLA 4, Alabama 1
It's a quick 1-2-3 seventh inning for the Bruins, who advance to face the winner of OU-Duke at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Game 2 between the Sooners and Blue Devils will start at about 3 p.m.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
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End 6: UCLA 4, Alabama 1 | Jordan Woolery homers to put Bruins on top
Maya Brady reached on an infield single to lead off the inning and the pressure was on Kayla Beaver and the Tide.
After an intentional walk to Sharlize Palacios, Jordan Woolery blasted a three-run homer to left to give UCLA a 4-1 lead.
Three outs to go for a Game 1 UCLA win.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
CLUTCH!!@JORDANWOOLERYY 3-RUN HOMER FOR THE LEAD!!!
📺: ESPN
📲: https://t.co/T5Ovxk5ZMY#GoBruins | #LevelUp pic.twitter.com/AjEdSPW5yl— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) May 30, 2024
Top 6: Alabama 1, UCLA 1 | Taylor Tinsley works out of jam
Taylor Tinsley was able to get out of a minor jam in the sixth with a runner in scoring position and one out.
First, Tinsley got a fly out and then she struck out Bailey Dowling to end the inning.
Marlie Giles, who was hit by pitch, was stranded at second.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
End 5: Alabama 1, UCLA 1 | Kayla Beaver shining in WCWS debut
Alabama ace Kayla Beaver gets three groundouts for another 1-2-3 inning.
The Bruins have only two hits through five innings.
We're moving on to the sixth tied up 1-1.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
Top 5: Alabama 1, UCLA 1 | Kenleigh Cahalan ties it up for Tide
After Bailey Dowling singled off Kaitlyn Terry's glove to start the inning, UCLA brought in Taylor Tinsley to relieve Terry.
Trouble followed for the Bruins.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Kenleigh Cahalan singled to right to tie the game, but Kinley Pate was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
End 4: UCLA 1, Alabama 0 | Kayla Beaver also rolling along
Another 1-2-3 inning for Beaver.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
Top 4: UCLA 1, Alabama 0 | Kaitlyn Terry rolling along
Marlie Giles walked and that was it for the Tide in the fourth.
Nice pitcher's duel brewing in the WCWS opener.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
End 3: UCLA 1, Alabama 0
After Janelle Meono was hit by a pitch, back-to-back singles from Maya Brady and Jadelyn Allchin (and a fielding error in right field) led to the first run.
Beaver got Sharlize Palacious to ground into a double play to end the inning.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
Top 3: Still scoreless in OKC
Lauren Johnson had a two-out single, but the Tide goes quietly in the top half of the third.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
End 2: Another 1-2-3 inning from Kayla Beaver, Crimson Tide
We're scoreless through two innings. Kayla Beaver is living up to her ace status early in OKC.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
Top 2: Still scoreless at Devon Park in WCWS
Larissa Preuitt worked around a Bailey Dowling single to toss another scoreless frame.
We're humming along at Devon Park.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
End 1: Alabama 0, UCLA 0 | Kayla Beaver shuts down Bruins in first
Alabama ace Kayla Beaver had two strikeouts in quick, 1-2-3 bottom half of the first.
Maybe we'll move along fast enough for OU-Duke to start not too far off schedule. Fingers crossed.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
Top 1: Alabama 0, UCLA 0
Larissa Preuitt reached on one-out, infield single, but UCLA pitcher Kaitlyn Terry avoided trouble in a scoreless top half of the inning.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
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11:49 a.m.: UCLA-Alabama weather update, new first pitch time
The NCAA announced a new start time for the WCWS opener. Alabama and UCLA will face off at 12:36 p.m.
Both teams are on the field jogging.
Fans are now free to return to their seats.
Game 1 will be here before we know it.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
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10:12 a.m.: UCLA-Alabama is now officially under weather delay
We're starting the WCWS off with a weather delay.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
Game 1 is in a weather delay due to lightning in the area. If you are at @DevonParkOKC, please seek shelter in a safe location on the main concourse. ⛈️#WCWS pic.twitter.com/ILoWPTmtzF
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 30, 2024
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10:08 a.m.: Devon Park grounds crew rolls the tarp out
The Devon Park grounds crew has rolled the tarp out on the field as a light rain falls.
Fans are asked to head to the main concourse since there's lightning in the area, but we are not under an official weather delay at the moment.
First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. on ESPN ... hopefully.
—Jeff Patterson, Staff writer
Welp pic.twitter.com/tIuFNGdUsl
— Jeff Patterson (@jeffpattOKC) May 30, 2024
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What time does UCLA softball vs. Alabama start in WCWS?
Date: Thursday, May 30
Time: 11 a.m. CT
Where: Devon Park in Oklahoma City
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What channel is UCLA softball vs. Alabama on today?
TV: ESPN
How to watch online: Watch ESPN (here's how to stream it live)
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: UCLA softball beats Alabama in WCWS opener on Jordan Woolery homer
