2025 WCWS: Officials make controversial ruling on Megan Grant game-tying two-run HR vs. Tennessee

UCLA slugger Megan Grant brought the Bruins’ season back from the brink when she drilled a game-tying, two-run home run with two outs in the top of the seventh to force extra innings in Sunday afternoon’s Women’s College World Series elimination game against Tennessee.

But in the excitement surrounded by her UCLA teammates, Grant stepped right over home plate and had to be prompted by teammate Alexis Ramirez before she actually scored the game-tying run. But after she was initially ruled safe, the Lady Vols requested an official review. Following a lengthy review by officials, Grant was ultimately ruled safe and the run counted, though it wasn’t without controversy.

“After review, the calling on the field is upheld and the run will score,” the home plate umpire announced. “The runner did miss home plate and was assisted, however that play was not reviewable according to Appendix G.”

The runs will stand for UCLA, here's the explanation pic.twitter.com/z39Gv58m5k

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) June 1, 2025

“Appendix G” is part of the video review section of the NCAA Softball rulebook that addresses a player “leaving early” but does not include any reference to a player not touching home plate or being assisted by a teammate. Because it’s not included in the video review section, and the officials didn’t see it live but only after an official review was initiated, the run was allowed to count.

Tennessee head coach Karen Weekly spent several minutes arguing with NCAA officials on and off the field, and even threatened to file an official protest. But, because not touching home plate was not reviewable, the Lady Vols’ protest was not permitted to be filed.

Outside of the seventh-inning controversy, Sunday’s game was a back-and-forth affair for both Tennessee and UCLA. The Lady Vols got on the board first with a two-RBI single from Laura Mealer in the bottom of the first inning.

A pair of solo home runs from Ramirez and Sofia Mujica in the top of the second tied the game at 2-all until Tennessee’s Taylor Pannell drilled a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth for a 4-2 advantage entering the final two innings of regulation.

And the Lady Vols nearly got out of it with a pair of quick outs in the top of the seventh inning. But after a single from UCLA’s Jordan Woolery, Grant hammered the first pitch she saw from Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens over the wall in right-center for the controversial game-tying two-run shot.

Ultimately, the controversy didn’t alter the outcome. Tennessee would win after a grueling nine innings with a walk-off bases-loaded hit from Laura Mealer to advance to play Texas in the WCWS Semifinals on Monday at noon. The Lady Vols will have to beat the Longhorns twice to advance to the WCWS Finals.

Meanwhile, UCLA’s season comes to an end despite Grant’s last-inning heroics.