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Woolery's blast propels No. 4 UCLA over No. 7 Tennessee

by:Cooper Taylor•about 18 hours
Screenshot 2025-02-21 at 8.43.10 PM
Courtesy of UCLA Athletics

A big fifth inning from No. 4 UCLA propelled the Bruins past No. 7 Tennessee, 4-3. The Lady Vols jumped out early, but Jordan Woolery’s home run erased a three-run deficit en route to another Top-25 win.

UCLA head coach Kelly Inouye-Perez gave freshman phenom Addisen Fisher the start against Tennessee. Though she was tested early. The Lady Vols struck quickly, scoring three times in the opening frame. Taylor Pannell put Tennessee on the board with an RBI single to center that scored Saviya Morgan. Freshman Amayah Doyle added another run with a single of her own before Destiny Rodriguez’s fourth single of the inning gave Tennessee a 3-0 lead.

Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens earned the start and retired six of the first seven batters she faced. After giving up three runs in the first, Fisher settled in, tossing scoreless second, third, and fourth innings. Kaitlyn Terry relieved Fisher in the fifth inning, ending the freshman’s outing after four innings.

Pickens dominated through the first four innings, but the Bruins chased her in the fifth. Once again, it was the young guns that stepped up for UCLA. Aleena Garcia singled, Maggie Daniel walked, and Rylee Slimp singled, loading the bases with no outs. That prompted Tennessee to bring in Sage Mardjetko. The three freshmen sparked a rally for UCLA. But senior Jessica Clements plated the Bruins’ first run on a fielder’s choice. Jordan Woolery then delivered a two-out, go-ahead three-run homer.

Terry retired the final eight batters of the game, striking out four Lady Vols and earning the win in her three innings of work. Through her four innings pitched, Pickens surrendered three runs on four hits and struck out a season-low one batter in the loss. Mardjetko was credited with the loss after allowing Woolery’s clutch three-run shot. UCLA remains unbeaten in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic with the victory. Tennessee’s loss marks its third of the season, all coming against Big Ten teams.

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