In Oklahoma City, Texas Tech faces UCLA at Devon Park on Sunday, May 31 at 6 p.m. CT with elimination on the line. After a nine-inning loss to Tennessee and UCLA’s 11-0 win over Arkansas, the Red Raiders must win today to keep their Women’s College World Serie
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Red Raiders didn’t just lose a game on Saturday. They lost time. Nine innings against Tennessee left Texas Tech one result away from the end, not the start.
So when Sunday’s first pitch at Devon Park finally comes—Texas Tech vs. UCLA at 6 p.m. CT on May 31—the pressure is already in the air. Texas Tech needs a win today to avoid elimination from the 2026 Women’s College World Series. UCLA is in the same bind, coming off an 11-0 thumping of Arkansas in its first elimination game.
The question now is simple enough to fit on one swing: can Texas Tech’s pitchers NiJaree Canady and Kaitlyn Terry slow UCLA’s power hitting duo of Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery?
As the game unfolded, it never stayed simple.
By 6:06 p.m., Mia Williams stepped in and the contest was underway. At 6:07 p.m., Williams hit a hard single off the wall, missing a homer by about 2 feet up on the first pitch of the game.
Texas Tech struck early. At 6:10 p.m. the Red Raiders already had a run on the board on an infield single from Lauren Allred. with Mihyia Davis out trying to get to 3rd. At 6:16 p.m. UCLA avoided the big inning. but Texas Tech answered with a go-ahead moment—an RBI single from Lauren Allred moved the story forward. and the Bruins took their turn at bat.
Then the bats turned mean. At 6:23 p.m., the score read UCLA 2, Texas Tech 1 after End 1. At 6:16 p.m., there was no let-up, and at 6:25 p.m. the Bruins were still carrying the advantage.
In the Bottom 1st, NiJaree Canady plunked Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery—an at-bat that quickly turned into damage. At 6:23 p.m., Grant and Woolery scored on a two-run home run from Woolery, leaving UCLA up 2-1 with 1 out in the Bottom 1st.
Texas Tech’s response arrived in the second. At 6:31 p.m., Jasmyn Burns tied the game with a solo home run to lead off the Top 2nd.
After that, the momentum swung back toward the Red Raiders. At 6:40 p.m., Texas Tech reclaimed the lead on a bases-loaded walk by Jackie Lis, and another circle visit followed for UCLA with Taylor Pannell up.
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The broadcast and timing are clear: the Texas Tech softball game vs UCLA will air on ESPN, and it can also be streamed on Fubo, which requires a subscription. The game is set for Sunday, May 31 with a 6 p.m. CT start at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
The surrounding tournament math adds to the stakes. Texas Tech’s path to today already includes a Saturday. May 30 game where Tennessee beat Texas Tech 2-1 in nine innings (Game 7). UCLA’s tournament life includes Saturday. May 29 where UCLA thumped Arkansas 11-0 in five innings (Game 6) and earlier on Friday. May 29. Alabama beat Nebraska 5-1 (Game 8).
The full schedule, all Central times, runs:
THURSDAY, MAY 28
Game 1: Texas Tech 8, Mississippi State 0 (5)
Game 2: Tennessee 6, Texas 3
Game 3: Alabama 6, UCLA 3
Game 4: Nebraska 5, Arkansas 3 (10)
FRIDAY, MAY 29
Game 5: Texas 5, Mississippi State 0
Game 6: UCLA 11, Arkansas 0 (5)
SATURDAY, MAY 30
Game 7: Tennessee 2, Texas Tech 1 (9)
Game 8: Alabama 5, Nebraska 1
SUNDAY, MAY 31
Game 9: Texas vs. Game 8 loser, 2 p.m.
Game 10: UCLA vs. Texas Tech, 6 p.m.
MONDAY, JUNE 1
Game 11: Tennessee vs. Game 9 winner, 11 a.m.
Game 12: Alabama vs. Game 9 winner, 1:30 p.m. (If necessary)
Game 13: Game 8 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 14: Game 8 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 8:30 p.m. (If necessary)
Tonight’s scoreboard moments—plunked bats, a two-run home run, a tying solo shot, and a bases-loaded walk—have already made the elimination pressure feel immediate.
For Texas Tech, the only thing that matters next is whether the lead holds long enough to stop the clock on their season.
Texas Tech softball UCLA softball WCWS 2026 Devon Park live score ESPN Fubo NiJaree Canady Kaitlyn Terry Megan Grant Jordan Woolery Lauren Allred Jasmyn Burns Jackie Lis