Mealer, Lady Vols walk it off in 9-inning battle against UCLA

02-06-2025

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (WATE) — After a nine-inning battle, the Lady Vols keep their season alive with a Laura Mealer walk-off single to send Tennessee to the national semifinals.
Both UCLA and the Lady Vols got their bats rolling in the first, however, it was Tennessee who was able to bring their base runners home.
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In the bottom of the first, Taylor Pannell singled, followed by Ella Dodge, the two still on base when the Bruins intentionally walked McKenna Gibson, loading the bases. Next in the order was Laura Mealer who popped one over the infield and into an open outfield, Pannell making it in first, followed by a diving Dodge to give the Lady Vols a 2-0 lead.
That brought Tennessee's total amount of first inning runs through three games at the College World Series to 11.
UCLA went yard in the second, twice. First off the bat of Alexis Ramirez, then a blast by Sofia Mujica. Both were solo shots, the two homers tying the game.
The Bruins had a chance to take the lead a couple of innings later in the top of the fifth. With two on and two outs, Tennessee intentionally walked Megan Grant, putting Karlyn Pickens back in front of Ramirez, who launched UCLA's first home run.
However, this time, Pickens sent Grant back to the dugout with a strikeout, leaving three stranded and ended the Bruins' chances in the fifth.
After struggling in the first part of the postseason, Pannell continued to be on a tear in Oklahoma City, hammering a two-run homer towards left field in the bottom of the fifth. A hit that gave Tennessee a 4-2 advantage.
Moving into the top of the sixth, UCLA looked as though they were going to threaten once again. With two outs, Kaitlyn Terry was originally called safe at first, which would have put runners on the corners for the Bruins, however the Lady Vols challenged the call, which was overturned in Tennessee's favor, ending the top of the sixth.
Pickens appeared to roll her ankle during the top of the sixth but finished the inning without missing a pitch.
The top of the seventh was the final chance for UCLA, and Megan Grant took full advantage, crushing one to center field. With one on, the blast tied it at four all.
After an extensive review of if Grant actually touched home base after the homer, it was noted that she did not touch home, however the play was not reviewable due to Appendix G so the homer stood.
In the bottom of the seventh, with no outs, Pannell got on base from a walk. The Bruins then intentionally talked Sophia Nugent, putting two on base for the Lady Vols.
However, a double play from third to second ended regulation. With the game tied at four, the Lady Vols and UCLA went to extra innings.
Bruins go three up, three down in the top of the eighth. Tennessee gets runners on the corners in the bottom of the frame, but with two outs already, they couldn't get anyone in.
With one out, Lady Vols loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth, with a 2-2 count, Laura Mealer snuck one inside the left base line, bringing in Pannell and walking it off to keep the Lady Vol season alive.
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UP NEXT: The Lady Vols live to play another day. Tennessee will face Texas tomorrow at 12 p.m. Tennessee with a tall task to win two back-to-back games against the Longhorns if they want to advance the championship series.
If the Lady Vols win game one against Texas, game two is slated for 2:30 p.m.
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