UCLA Bruins slugged their way to victory in the opening game of their NCAA Tournament Super Regionals against Central Florida, winning 9-1 in five innings
In fact, sluggers Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery were waiting to bat when leadoff hitter Rylee Slimp hit a three-run, walk-off homer in the opening game of their NCAA Tournament Super Regiona in Los Angelesl.
Slimp’s blast completed UCLA’s 9-1, five-inning run-rule victory over Central Florida on Friday night at Easton Stadium, the abrupt ending catching even Slimp by surprise.
“I had no idea, actually,” Slimp said of the possibility of ending the game at that point. “I didn’t even know we were in run-rule territory, if I’m being honest. ” Slimp finally figured it out after reaching home plate and watching her teammates sprint across the field in celebration.
Kaniya Bragg also hit a towering three-run homer and Bri Alejandre a solo shot for the Bruins , who now need just one more victory in the best-of-three series to advance to the Women’s College World Series. The three homers extended UCLA’s NCAA single-season record to 196. It was the 29th run-rule victory for UCLA this season, breaking the program record of 28 it had set last season.
“When the offense does what it does,” Bruins coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said, “we will take that every single day. ” UCLA ace Taylor Tinsley held the Knights to just three hits, including Sierra Humpreys’ solo homer in the fifth inning. A celebrating Ryle Slimp is hugged by teammate Brynne Nally after hitting a game-ending three-run homer in UCLA’s 9-1, five-inning run-rule victory over Central Florida on May 22, 2026 in Los Angeles.
The shortened game was especially meaningful for Tinsley, the workhorse pitcher who will likely start every game in this series. With UCLA leading by only one run, the Bruins added two more in the fourth inning on Soo-Jin Berry’s RBI groundout and a run-scoring double inside the left-field line by pinch-hitter Ramsey Suarez.
“Just having the run support, it obviously makes me feel a little bit looser on the mound,” Tinsley said, “and I think even for the offense in general, we just start having fun with it. It’s fun to watch everybody succeed and just having them pass the bat, and then when I go out there, just knowing that they’re always going to have my back no matter what.
”Of course, having Grant and Woolery behind her vastly improves the quality of pitches she gets to hit. Rylee Slimp blasts a game-ending three-run homer in UCLA’s 9-1, five-inning run-rule victory over Central Florida on May 22.
“I think that actually takes a lot of pressure off, just knowing I have eight incredible bats behind me,” Slimp said. “So really, at the end of the day, all my job is to touch first base. That’s all I’m really there to do, and I know that anyone behind me is going to get the job done.
“Basically, if I get on, I feel like I’m an automatic run because I have that much trust in the people behind me. So, I feel like that takes a lot of weight off my shoulders. ”
UCLA Bruins NCAA Tournament Central Florida Women's Softball Run-Rule Victory
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mississippi State Posts Best NCAA Tournament Score in Program HistoryThe Bulldogs are headed back to the NCAA Championship in Carlsbad after their best NCAA Tournament score in program history.
Read more »
How Oklahoma State Baseball's Big 12 Tournament Win over UCF Affects NCAA HopesThe Oklahoma State Cowboys opened the quarterfinal round of the Big 12 Tournament on Thursday hoping to potentially improve their NCAA Tournament seeding.
Read more »
UCLA softball hosts surprising Central Florida in NCAA Super RegionalThe Bruins, loaded with experience and record-breaking power, take on the Golden Knights in a three-game series for a spot in the Women’s College World Series.
Read more »
UCLA softball stifles Central Florida in NCAA Super Regional openerSenior pitcher Taylor Tinsley limits UCF to one run on three hits in five innings, and the Bruins hit three more home runs to begin the best-of-three series with a 9-1 win. Game 2 is Saturday night.
Read more »