Texas Tech Tops UCLA 8-7 to Reach Semifinals at Women's College World Series

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — In a thrilling contest at the Women's College World Series, Kaitlyn Terry shone both on the mound and at the plate, guiding Texas Tech to an 8-7 triumph over UCLA on Sunday. Terry, who previously played for the Bruins, allowed two runs over five innings and delivered the crucial go-ahead hit in the ninth inning.

Throughout the game, Terry and teammate NiJaree Canady alternated pitching responsibilities, but it was Terry's offensive contribution that proved decisive. In the ninth, Terry's double brought home Taylor Pannell to put the Red Raiders ahead 7-6, and she later scored on a fielding error, giving Texas Tech an additional cushion.

UCLA made a late-game push in the bottom of the ninth, sparked by Jordan Woolery, who had already hit two home runs earlier in the game. Woolery's single brought Rylee Slimp across the plate, narrowing the gap. Canady returned to the mound to secure the victory, closing out the game with a flyout and a strikeout.

Terry, who transferred from UCLA after last season, recorded seven strikeouts in her five innings of work. Canady (27-6) earned the win by completing the eighth inning. With this victory, the eleventh-seeded Texas Tech (59-8) moves on to face Alabama in the national semifinals on Monday, needing two wins to secure a spot in the championship series for the second year in a row.

UCLA had been trailing 6-3 in the seventh inning until Ramsey Suarez hit a pinch-hit home run, which brought the Bruins closer. Woolery later shocked the Red Raiders with a game-tying home run. Despite the loss, UCLA (53-10) concluded a record-breaking season, having scored 672 runs and hit 209 home runs, marking a historic performance for the program.