The Women’s College World Series is known for its intensity, emotion, and unforgettable moments—and Friday night delivered all of that and more. In an elimination game that will be talked about for years to come, the Tennessee Lady Volunteers outlasted the UCLA Bruins in a 5-4 thriller at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, punching their ticket to the next round of the WCWS after a controversial game-tying home run briefly shifted momentum.
Despite the noise surrounding the disputed blast, Tennessee’s focus never wavered. Behind strong leadership from head coach Karen Weekly and the veteran presence of Kiki Milloy and Payton Gottshall, the Lady Vols showed grit and maturity in the face of adversity. When the dust settled, it was Tennessee—not UCLA—still alive in Oklahoma City.
Early Fireworks and a Fast Start
Tennessee came out of the gate swinging, clearly not rattled by the pressure of an elimination game. Leadoff hitter Kiki Milloy wasted no time setting the tone, roping a single up the middle in the top of the first. A bunt single by Zaida Puni and a productive fly ball from McKenna Gibson gave Tennessee runners at the corners, and it was freshman phenom Destiny Martinez who delivered with a two-RBI double into the right-center gap.
By the end of the inning, Tennessee led 2-0 and had firmly placed UCLA on their heels. It was the kind of aggressiveness that Coach Weekly has instilled all year—a commitment to putting pressure on opposing defenses early.
“This group doesn’t wait around for the game to come to them,” Weekly said postgame. “They go out and grab it.”
Gottshall’s Dominance on the Mound
In the circle, graduate pitcher Payton Gottshall was dealing. Making her second appearance in Oklahoma City, Gottshall mixed her off-speed and rise ball effectively, keeping the Bruins guessing. She struck out five through the first three innings while allowing only one base runner—a two-out walk to Megan Grant.
Gottshall, who transferred from Bowling Green to chase championship dreams with Tennessee, showed the poise and command that earned her All-SEC honors this season.
“She’s our competitor,” said catcher Giulia Koutsoyanopulos. “When Payton’s in the zone like that, she gives us so much confidence behind her.”
UCLA Fights Back
However, a team like UCLA doesn’t go quietly. Down 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth, the Bruins finally broke through. A leadoff double by Jordan Woolery set the table, and senior utility player Sharlize Palacios brought her home with an RBI single to left.
After a pitching change brought in Tennessee’s fireballing freshman Karlyn Pickens, UCLA trimmed the lead to 3-2 when a bloop single and a groundout plated another run. Pickens ended the threat with a strikeout, but momentum had clearly shifted.
The Bruins weren’t done yet.
The Controversial Blast
The most pivotal—and disputed—moment came in the bottom of the sixth.
With one out and a runner on first, UCLA sophomore Maya Brady stepped into the box. Facing Pickens, Brady connected with a 2-1 rise ball and launched it deep into left-center field. As the ball cleared the fence, UCLA fans erupted—but Tennessee players immediately turned toward the umpires, claiming fan interference.
Replays showed that a fan reached over the railing, appearing to touch the ball just before it fully cleared the fence. While the call on the field was a home run, Tennessee immediately challenged.
After a lengthy review, the umpires upheld the original call, much to the dismay of Tennessee’s dugout and their faithful fans.
“It’s frustrating,” Weekly said diplomatically. “We trust the review process, but we also saw what we saw. That said, you have to move forward.”
The home run tied the game at 4-4, and suddenly, Tennessee’s season was hanging by a thread.
The Vols Respond—Like Champions
What happened next showed why Tennessee has been a top-five team all year.
Instead of folding under pressure or allowing frustration to derail their effort, the Lady Vols responded with championship-level poise.
In the top of the seventh, it was none other than senior slugger McKenna Gibson who stepped up. On a 3-1 pitch from UCLA’s Megan Faraimo, Gibson drove a towering shot to dead center—no controversy this time. The solo home run gave Tennessee a 5-4 lead and ignited a roar from the orange section of the crowd.
Gibson, who had struggled in earlier games this postseason, picked the perfect moment to remind everyone of her power.
“You live for moments like this,” Gibson said. “I didn’t think about the last at-bat or the last game. I just thought about helping my team.”
The Final Three Outs
Coach Weekly turned back to Gottshall to close the door in the bottom of the seventh. Despite UCLA sending the top of their order to the plate, Gottshall didn’t flinch.
She induced a groundout from Savannah Pola, then got Megan Grant to chase a rise ball for strike two. On the next pitch, Grant popped out foul to first base.
With two outs and the season on the line, Gottshall faced cleanup hitter Jordan Woolery. After falling behind 2-0, Gottshall fought back to even the count and then painted the outside corner with a fastball that froze Woolery for strike three.
Ballgame.
The Tennessee dugout erupted as players stormed the circle to mob Gottshall in celebration. The Lady Vols were moving on—and doing so in dramatic fashion.
Legacy of Resilience
This win wasn’t just about surviving—it was a microcosm of what Tennessee softball has become under Karen Weekly: tough, relentless, and mentally strong.
After losing a tough opener to Oklahoma and being pushed to the brink by a blue-blood like UCLA, the Lady Vols never blinked. They leaned on their veterans, trusted their freshmen, and believed in their preparation.
“Our mindset is we’re never out of a game,” said Weekly. “This team has grit. We’ve had it all year, and that’s what keeps us alive.”
What’s Next for Tennessee?
With the win, Tennessee advances to face the loser of Florida vs. Oklahoma in another elimination showdown. The margin for error is razor-thin, but the Lady Vols appear up for the challenge.
They’ll likely turn to Pickens or sophomore Ryleigh White to start the next contest, with Gottshall available in relief. The offense, anchored by Milloy, Puni, Gibson, and Martinez, has regained its rhythm after being stifled in the opener.
As for UCLA, the Bruins’ season comes to a heartbreaking end, one marred by missed opportunities, emotional swings, and a controversial home run that, despite all the review angles, couldn’t save their season.
The Talk of the WCWS
The game will undoubtedly be remembered for the sixth-inning home run and the ensuing debate. Social media exploded with replays, angles, and heated opinions. ESPN’s broadcast team went frame by frame analyzing the fan interference claim. Still, the call stood.
“Replay is there to get it right, but it’s hard when it feels like something was missed,” said former USA Softball star Jessica Mendoza on the broadcast. “Regardless, credit to Tennessee—they didn’t let it beat them.”
The 2025 Women’s College World Series has been nothing short of electric, and Tennessee’s victory over UCLA added another unforgettable chapter to its lore.
It was a game of drama, determination, and one defining swing—from both sides of the emotional spectrum.
In a postseason that so often tests a team’s mettle, the Lady Vols proved they’re built for the big stage. And while the road ahead won’t be easy, one thing is certain.
