Jessica Clements and UCLA softball finished out the evening of Women’s College World Series action with a walk-off home run to defeat Oregon 4-2 on Thursday.
The Bruins and the Ducks were tied 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Bruins had the potential game-winning run on first base with two outs before Clements clinched the victory with her home run.
The ball landed just over the fence in center field and into the hands of a fan in attendance.
‘We just have an unwavering faith in each other and what we are doing,’ UCLA catcher Alexis Ramirez told NCAA sideline reporter Michella Chester after the game.
Ramirez played a key role in the game for the Bruins, going 2-for-3 with a two-run home run.
The Bruins held a 2-1 lead going into the final inning before the Ducks tied the game after a controversial obstruction call at home plate.
Oregon’s Paige Sinicki slid toward home plate but was tagged by Ramirez, who appeared to have her foot on the plate. The Ducks challenged the call and were awarded the run after the call was reversed.
As a result of the victory, the Bruins will advance to the winner’s bracket, while Oregon falls into the loser’s bracket and will play Ole Miss Friday night to try to keep their championship hopes alive.
The Bruins dramatic home run was the second walk-off homer on the opening day of the Women’s College World Series. Earlier Thursday, Oklahoma’s Ella Parker hit a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to lead the Sooners to a 4-3 comeback victory over Tennessee.
It was also UCLA’s second walk-off homer in less than a week. UCLA was one out from elimination in Game 2 of the super regionals before Jordan Woolery hit a game-winning home run in the seventh inning to beat the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Bruins went on to win Game 3 of the super regional to advance to the WCWS.
Who will UCLA softball play next?
UCLA will play Texas Tech on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Texas Tech beat Ole Miss 1-0 with Lauren Allred scoring a run in the fourth inning after scoring on an error.