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The Tennessee softball team appeared to win a College World Series matchup against UCLA on technicality Sunday afternoon. After further review, that was not the case.
The Vols were forced to continue playing despite evidence that the incorrect call was made. Controversy quickly followed.
The two teams were competing in an elimination game in the Women’s CWS in Oklahoma City. They traded blows early with each squad plating two runs across their first two at-bats.
Tennessee then took a 4-2 lead in the fifth inning, an advantage they’d carry into the seventh frame. UCLA was down to its final out after seeing the first two hitters of the inning go down in order. They were then able to get the tying run to the plate after a Jordan Woolery single. What followed was complete chaos!
GAME-TYING HOMER FROM MEGAN GRANT AFTER BEING DOWN TO OUR FINAL OUT OF THE SEASON!!#GoBruins | @ChefMeganCookin pic.twitter.com/bYOiGU6A6a
— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) June 1, 2025
Megan Grant hit the first pitch she saw out of the ballpark. It seemingly tied the game at 4-4. Grant, however, failed to touch home plate after rounding the bases. She was then directed to do so by a teammate after the fact.
UCLA softball players were huddled around Grant as she made her way to the plate. They are not allowed to assist her back to touch home according to the NCAA rulebook. A review followed.
Umpires are reviewing this UCLA HR as the runner stepped over home plate and was “assisted” to go back and touch it – the result of this will either continue the game tied at 4 or end it with Tennessee winning pic.twitter.com/mER8n09vbH
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) June 1, 2025
The original call was a home run. Umpires did not see Grant miss home plate in real time. There was clear evidence showing otherwise upon video review. Unfortunately, the play was unreviewable!
The umpiring crew admitted that, by rule, the UCLA runner would’ve been ruled out had they seen it live. They didn’t. The run counted, sending the game into extra innings.
The runs will stand for UCLA, here’s the explanation pic.twitter.com/z39Gv58m5k
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) June 1, 2025
Now, winning on a technicality would’ve done a major disservice to viewers and players in their most important game of the season. The loser of the game was going home! But on the flip side, the rules are the rules.
Luckily, the controversial call didn’t cost the Vols the game. They’d win in extra innings, 5-4, after a walk-off single in the ninth frame.