UCLA vs. Alabama softball live score, updates, highlights from 2024 Women's College World Series

The NCAA softball tournament hasn’t exactly been rife with upsets, with only two unseeded teams reaching the super regionals and the higher seed winning six of eight super regional matchups. Alabama bucked that trend.

The Crimson Tide knocked off SEC rival Tennessee despite losing Game 1, walking-off the Volunteers in Game 2 before winning 4-1 in the decisive Game 3. Alabama held Tennessee to just six runs in three games, showcasing run-prevention ability that will be tested against UCLA.

The Bruins easily withstood what was expected to be a tougher challenge from Georgia in the super regionals. UCLA won 8-0 in Game 1 and dominated again in Game 2 with a terrific start from Taylor Tinsley and 4 RBI from Sharlize Palacios.

MORE: Watch UCLA vs. Alabama live with Fubo (free trial)

Alabama’s chances of extending its run might depend on how well the pitching can limit UCLA’s bats, but the Bruins proved in the super regionals that scoring runs on them is a huge challenge, as well.

Thursday’s winner will face the winner of the matchup between Duke and favored Oklahoma, while the loser will take on whichever team doesn’t prevail in the Duke-Oklahoma battle and face elimination.

The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from Thursday’s Women’s College World Series matchup between UCLA and Alabama. Follow along with all of the key moments below.

UCLA vs. Alabama softball score

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	F
Alabama	0	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
UCLA	0	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

UCLA vs. Alabama live updates, highlights from Women’s College World Series

(All times Eastern)

1:55 p.m.: Giles comes up empty on a screwball on the outside for out No. 1 in the second.

1:50 p.m. End of first: Grant pops out on the infield to strand a runner on second.

1:49 p.m.: Palacios nearly hits her 12th homer in the past 19 games. Instead, the ball goes foul. Beaver then gets her swinging on a 61 mph curveball for her second punchout.

1:48 p.m.: More issues behind the plate as Giles drops a ball outside, allowing Allchin to move up to second.

1:47 p.m.: Allchin hits a comebacker to the mound, which Beaver fires to second to get Brady. The Crimson Tide can’t turn two, however, so Palacios will have a runner on first with one away.

1:46 p.m.: Not exactly how Brady drew it up, but she chases a drop ball in the dirt that Giles can’t handle behind the dish, allowing Brady to reach on the dropped third strike.

1:45 p.m.: Lauren Johnson stays in the game to play right field, taking the spot of Preuitt.

1:41 p.m. End top first: Cahalan chases a pitch down and away to strike out. Jenna Johnson sends the next pitch to center, where it’s caught for the third out.

1:38 p.m.: Preuitt grounds a base hit right back up the middle. As soon as that ball gets past Terry, Brady had no chance to make the play. Athletic trainers out to talk to Preuitt, and Lauren Johnson comes in to pinch run for Preuitt.

1:37 p.m.: White attempts to bunt on the first pitch, but it’s popped up right back to Terry for the first out of the game.

1:31 p.m.: Five minutes out from first pitcher after the weather delay to begin the day.

1:20 p.m.: It is just about time for the start of the Women’s College World Series.

SHOWTIME 🤩#WCWS pic.twitter.com/faLIbqRoOS

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 30, 2024

1:10 p.m.: Alabama will be batting to start the game. Here’s a look at the lineups for this afternoon’s game:

Alabama:

Kristen White, CF
Larissa Preuitt, RF
Kenleigh Cahalan, SS
Jenna Johnson, LF
Marlie Giles, C
Riley Valentine, DP
Bailey Dowling, 3B
Lauren Esman, 1B
Kali Heivilin, 2B

P: Kayla Beaver

UCLA:

Maya Brady, SS
Jadelyn Allchin, LF
Sharlize Palacios, C
Megan Grant, RF
Jordan Woolery, 1B
Savannah Pola, DP
Seneca Curo, 2B
Thessa Malau’ulu, 3B
Janelle Meono, CF

P: Kaitlyn Terry

1:03 p.m.: No more tarp. Players rejoice.

🚨 The tarp has been removed! 🚨

First pitch is now set for 10:36 a.m. (PT)/12:36 p.m. (CT)#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/WIAt0ySBE0

— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) May 30, 2024

12:47 p.m.: The NCAA is eyeing 1:36 p.m. ET as the start for the contest. That will certainly push back the start of Oklahoma-Duke, which is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET.

12:06 p.m.: Still no word from the NCAA on the start of Thursday’s game. Fans tuning in to ESPN hoping to see UCLA-Alabama are currently getting a re-run of this morning’s “First Take.”

11:43 a.m.: No updates yet from the NCAA on when the game can start. The forecast for today does not appear to be promising. Thunderstorms and rain are projected to be a part of the day all throughout Thursday, per the National Weather Service.

11:13 a.m.: This game will be delayed. Lightning in the area has brought out the tarp.

And the opening pitch of the WCWS will be delayed due to lightning in the area. Tarp is on the field. https://t.co/3HbTR1IGBc

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) May 30, 2024

11:06 a.m.: Alabama is getting fans excited early by releasing a hype video ahead of their first College World Series game today.

Believe#Team28 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/rIIm0FVZ4A

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) May 30, 2024

How to watch UCLA vs. Alabama softball

Start time: Noon ET
TV channel: ESPN
Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo

Thursday’s College World Series matchup between UCLA and Alabama will begin at noon ET from Oklahoma City, Okla.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Cord-cutters can stream the game live on ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Women’s College World Series schedule 2024

Thu., May 30

Game	Matchup/Results	Time (ET)	TV/Live stream
Game 1	(14) Alabama vs. (6) UCLA	Noon	ESPN, Fubo, ESPN+
Game 2	(10) Duke vs. (2) Oklahoma	2:30 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, ESPN+
Game 3	(1) Texas vs. (8) Stanford	7 p.m.	ESPN2, Fubo, ESPN+
Game 4	(5) Oklahoma State vs. (4) Florida	9:30 p.m.	ESPN2, Fubo, ESPN+

Fri., May 31

Game	Matchup/Results	Time (ET)	TV/Live stream
Game 5	Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser	7 p.m.	ESPN2, Fubo, ESPN+
Game 6	Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser	9:30 p.m.	ESPN2, Fubo

Sat., June 1

Game	Matchup/Results	Time (ET)	TV/Live stream
Game 7	Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner	3 p.m.	ABC, Fubo, ESPN+
Game 8	Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner	7 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, ESPN+

Sun., June 2

Game	Matchup/Results	Time (ET)	TV/Live stream
Game 9	Game 5 winner vs. Game 8 loser	3 p.m.	ABC, Fubo, ESPN+
Game 10	Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 loser	7 p.m.	ESPNU, Fubo, ESPN+

Mon., June 3

Game	Matchup/Results	Time (ET)	TV/Live stream
Game 11	Game 7 winner vs. Game 9 winner	Noon	ESPN, Fubo, ESPN+
Game 12 (if necessary)	Game 11 rematch	2:30 p.m.	ESPN, Fubo, ESPN+
Game 13	Game 8 winner vs. Game 10 winner	7 p.m.	ESPN2, Fubo, ESPN+
Game 14 (if necessary)	Game 13 rematch	9:30 p.m.	ESPN2, Fubo, ESPN+