Columbia Super Regional: Schedule & Updates
The 2025 NCAA Softball Columbia Super Regional features a compelling matchup between No. 9 seed UCLA and No. 8 seed South Carolina.
The best-of-three series begins Friday, May 23, at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with Game 2 scheduled for Saturday at the same time. If necessary, a decisive Game 3 will be played on Sunday, May 25, with the time to be announced.
UCLA enters the Super Regional with a 49–9 record, showcasing a potent offense and solid pitching staff under the leadership of head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. The Bruins are aiming to return to the Women’s College World Series after a strong postseason run.
South Carolina, hosting the Super Regional at Carolina Stadium at Beckham Field, has had a remarkable season, earning the No. 8 national seed. The Gamecocks are looking to capitalize on their home-field advantage and continue their journey toward Oklahoma City.
This Super Regional promises an exciting showdown between two top-tier programs, each vying for a coveted spot in the Women’s College World Series. The winner will advance to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, starting May 29.
Game 1: South Carolina 9, UCLA 2
South Carolina came out swinging, hosting its first-ever super regional. Lexi Winters got the action started with a two-run home run in the top of the first inning. Brooke Blankenship followed that up with an RBI double to make it 3-0. The offense continued to roll in the second inning, with Ariana Rodi, someone we highlighted as a player to watch in Super Regionals, ripping a two-RBI single to put the Gamecocks up 5-0.
UCLA responded in the top of the fourth with an RBI double from Alexis Ramirez and an RBI single from Sofia Mujica to cut the lead to 5-2. It was all South Carolina after that; they put up two runs in the fifth and added two in the sixth to go ahead 9-2.
This is the first Super Regional win in program history for the Gamecocks.
WE ARE ONE WIN AWAY FROM OKLAHOMA CITY pic.twitter.com/9XXJWdbW0e
— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) May 23, 2025
Game 2: UCLA 5, South Carolina 4
South Carolina came into Game 2 needing just one more win to advance to their first WCWS since 1997. Just like in Game 1, they struck early again in the top of the first with an RBI single from Lexi Winters, scoring Quincee Lilio. The next three innings were a pitchers' duel between Sam Gress and Taylor Tinsley, with neither giving up a run.
In the top of the fifth, South Carolina loaded the bases with two outs via an error, a hit by pitch, and a walk. Lexi Winters once again came up huge with a two-RBI single scoring Karley Shleton and Lilio for a second time to put the Gamecocks up 3-0.
UCLA responded in the bottom of the fifth with a solo shot from Sofia Mujica to make it 3-1. In the top of the sixth, Lilo laid down a beautiful bunt to score Brooke Blankenship to put South Carolina up 4-1.
The Bruins threatened a comeback in the bottom of the seventh with one out when Kaitlyn Terry ripped an RBI triple, scoring Taylor Stephens to cut the lead to 4-2. After a strikeout to Jessica Clements, Savannah Pola hit an RBI single, scoring Terry to put them within one at 4-3.
With the season on the line, Jordan Woolery came up to the plate 0-for-6 in Super Regionals. It was lucky No. 7, sealing the deal as she stepped up when her team needed her most. Woolery blasted a two-run homer to give UCLA the walk-off 5-4 win and force a winner-take-all game three.
JORDAN WOOLERY WALK-OFF HOMER TO STAVE OFF ELIMINATION!!
— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) May 24, 2025
BRUINS NEVER SAY DIE!! pic.twitter.com/XlTlJ4qjmt
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD Sunday, May 25
UCLA was two outs away from ending its season on Friday but Bruin magic was alive and well in Columbia. After hitting a walk-off home run in game two, It was Jordan Woolery starting off game three on Monday with an RBI single to score Jessica Clements to put the Bruins up 1-0.
In the 5th, Woolery came to the plate again, ripping another RBI single, scoring Clements to double the lead. The Bruin offense ignited in the 7th, plating three runs on five hits to make the score 5-0.
UCLA's pitching was outstanding throughout. Kaitlyn Terry pitched 5.2 innings only allowing two hits while striking out four. Taylor Tinlsey came to to finish the game, also only allowing two hits to go along with two strikeouts.
With the win the Bruins advance to their 33rd WCWS which is an NCAA record.
The Bruins punched their ticket to the WCWS for the 33rd time! #GoBruins | #RoadToWCWS pic.twitter.com/iBeB4jg4Xl
— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) May 25, 2025
Katie Burkhart is a former professional softball pitcher and Arizona State University alumna, where she was a three-time All-American and led the Sun Devils to a national championship. She played professionally in the U.S., Japan, and Italy, and has coached at the Division I level. She now provides private pitching instruction and mindset training for athletes of all levels. Katie is also the author of Mental Muscle and Beyond the Game, books focused on athletic performance and life after sports.
Sarah Person was born and raised in Nebraska and has lived there her whole life. She is a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in sports media and broadcasting. She did everything during her time at UNL, including writing, anchoring, broadcasting, and photography. Sarah has had a lifelong passion for sports and is excited to continue that passion through her work for Softball on SI.
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