UCLA and Tennessee Set for High-Stakes Rematch in Women’s College World Series Elimination Game with Seasons on the Line

The road to a national championship in college softball is paved with pressure, grit, and moments that define programs. For UCLA and Tennessee, two powerhouses of the sport, that journey now boils down to one more game in Oklahoma City—a Women’s College World Series (WCWS) elimination matchup that promises to be intense, emotional, and rich with storylines. The Bruins and Lady Vols, familiar foes on this stage, will meet again with their 2025 seasons hanging in the balance.

This isn’t the first time these two storied programs have crossed paths under the bright lights of the WCWS, and it may not be the last. But the stakes have rarely been higher. Both teams entered this year’s tournament with national title hopes and rosters built for deep postseason runs. Yet, after early setbacks in bracket play, they now find themselves in a win-or-go-home scenario—an unforgiving crucible where only one team’s dreams can survive the night.

For UCLA, the 12-time national champions, the expectations are always sky-high. The Bruins came into Oklahoma City looking to return to the championship series and reclaim a crown they last held in 2019. Their path was disrupted by a hard-fought loss to Texas, and though they bounced back with a gritty elimination win over Alabama, the margin for error is now nonexistent. The offense, anchored by All-American slugger Maya Brady, must produce against a Tennessee pitching staff known for its dominance. UCLA’s success in past years has often stemmed from explosive bats, timely hits, and a seasoned, battle-tested roster. But this WCWS has tested even the most experienced players.

Brady, playing her final season for the Bruins, understands the weight of the moment. With her legacy already secure as one of UCLA’s greatest hitters, she now has the opportunity to lead her team out of the loser’s bracket and into contention. Her leadership, alongside fellow veterans like Megan Faraimo and Sharlize Palacios, will be critical. The Bruins are a team that thrives on tradition, on winning culture, and on moments like this—moments that demand poise under pressure.

Across the diamond stands a Tennessee squad equally motivated and equally desperate to extend its season. The Lady Vols entered the WCWS with one of the most complete teams in the country—elite pitching, steady defense, and a lineup capable of creating chaos. They opened their Oklahoma City campaign with a dominant win before running into trouble against Oklahoma, falling short against the two-time defending national champions in a marquee showdown. That loss set up the elimination clash with UCLA, a matchup that feels like a collision of titans.

Tennessee’s ace, Payton Gottshall, will likely take the circle with everything on the line. A transfer from Bowling Green who has seamlessly adapted to SEC competition, Gottshall has been electric all season. Her ability to mix speeds and keep hitters off-balance has made her one of the tournament’s breakout stars. The Lady Vols’ coaching staff, led by Karen Weekly, will lean heavily on her to neutralize UCLA’s potent bats.

Offensively, Tennessee is powered by the likes of Kiki Milloy, one of the nation’s most dangerous leadoff hitters. Milloy’s speed, power, and on-base ability have set the tone for Tennessee’s offense all year. Her ability to get on base and immediately create scoring chances will be vital in a game where every run could be the difference. Around her, the Lady Vols feature a balanced lineup, with contributors like McKenna Gibson and Zaida Puni providing muscle in the heart of the order.

What makes this elimination matchup even more compelling is the shared recent history between these two programs. Just last year, they met in a similar spot, with Tennessee edging out UCLA in a close WCWS contest. That memory still lingers, especially for the Bruins, who will be eager for payback. For fans, it adds a layer of intrigue and emotion—a rivalry renewed with everything at stake.

The coaches, too, will play a significant role in this showdown. Kelly Inouye-Perez has built UCLA into a perennial contender, and she knows what it takes to win on this stage. Her postseason resume includes national titles, and her ability to manage pitching changes, pinch-hitters, and the emotional rollercoaster of a WCWS elimination game will be under the microscope. Weekly, on the other hand, has turned Tennessee into a national force in her own right. Under her leadership, the Lady Vols have consistently competed in the upper echelon of the SEC and beyond. This is another opportunity for her to prove Tennessee’s place among the sport’s elite.

Both fan bases will be out in full force at OGE Energy Field at Devon Park, adding to an already charged atmosphere. The WCWS is college softball’s grandest stage, and the energy in the stadium is expected to mirror that of a championship game. With so much talent on both sides and so much at stake, the game has the potential to be an instant classic.

Beyond the immediate drama of survival, this game could also serve as a torch-passing moment for the sport. UCLA represents decades of tradition and excellence, while Tennessee symbolizes the growing power of SEC softball and the sport’s expansion beyond the traditional West Coast strongholds. A victory for either program reinforces its status as a national brand and moves it one step closer to a title.

For the players, especially the seniors, the game is about more than championships. It’s about legacy, pride, and closing a chapter with no regrets. Players like Brady, Gottshall, Milloy, and Faraimo have poured years into their craft, and each of them understands the finality of what’s at stake. One group will walk off the field victorious, their season still alive. The other will have to process the heartbreak of what could have been.

The margin for error will be razor-thin. A misplayed grounder, a missed sign, a pitch left over the plate—any of those moments could decide the outcome. That’s what makes elimination games in the WCWS so compelling. Every pitch matters. Every swing has consequences. It’s softball at its most dramatic and most unforgiving.

As the Bruins and Lady Vols prepare to clash again, the game stands as a showcase of everything great about the sport—its passion, its tension, its unpredictability. UCLA’s pedigree versus Tennessee’s hunger. Legendary names against rising stars. No guarantees, no second chances.

For UCLA, it’s about preserving tradition and chasing a record-extending 13th national title. For Tennessee, it’s about rewriting the narrative and proving that the Lady Vols belong in the sport’s elite tier. Either way, one team will rise and one will fall.

And so, on a warm June night in Oklahoma City, two giants of college softball will meet again, not as friendly competitors, but as rivals fighting for one more day. It’s win or go home. The moment is here. The stage is set. Let the game begin.