No. 11 Texas Tech earned the final semifinal berth at the Women’s College World Series on Sunday night, rallying from a three-run deficit in the seventh inning and beating No. 8 UCLA 8-7 in nine innings at Devon Park. The Red Raiders, who had already survived a difficult path through the elimination bracket, finished the comeback with Kaitlyn Terry’s go-ahead RBI double in extra innings. Terry later scored an insurance run, and NiJaree Canady recorded the final out to seal one of the most dramatic wins of the tournament. The loss ended UCLA’s season after the Bruins added three more home runs on Sunday and finished with a nation-best 209 homers.
Earlier Sunday, reigning national champion and No. 2 Texas stayed alive with a 3-1 victory over No. 4 Nebraska. Katie Stewart, who had not recorded a hit in the WCWS before that game, delivered the decisive blow with a three-run home run in the sixth inning. Nebraska ace Jordy Frahm had been dominant early and carried a no-hitter into the sixth, but Texas broke through when Stewart connected to turn a close game into a three-run lead. Teagan Kavan then limited Nebraska to three hits the rest of the way. Frahm accounted for Nebraska’s only run with a leadoff home run in the first inning before Texas shut the door.
The loss also ended Frahm’s college career. The standout pitcher finished her decorated run after previously winning two national championships at Oklahoma before transferring back to Nebraska, her home-state school.
With Nebraska and UCLA eliminated, they joined No. 5 Arkansas and Mississippi State among the teams knocked out of this year’s tournament. That reduced the Women’s College World Series field to four teams: No. 7 Tennessee, No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Texas and No. 11 Texas Tech.
Tennessee and Alabama enter Monday’s semifinals undefeated at 2-0 in Oklahoma City. Tennessee will meet Texas in a rematch of their opening-round game, while Alabama faces Texas Tech in the nightcap. Texas and Texas Tech, both coming through the elimination bracket, must win twice on Monday to advance to the championship series. If either team wins the opener and then loses the second game, an “if necessary” rematch will decide the finalist.
The WCWS championship series is scheduled to begin Wednesday, June 3, with Game 2 set for Thursday, June 4, and a third game, if needed, on Friday, June 5. Monday’s semifinal games are set for noon and 7 p.m. ET, with potential “if necessary” rematches scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ET.
