Canady leads Stanford past UCLA and into Women’s CWS semifinals

In an exciting turn of events at the Women's College World Series (WCWS) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Stanford University's softball team secured their spot in the semifinals after defeating UCLA Bruins with a score of 3-2 on May 28, 2023. This victory kept Stanford's season alive and set up a pivotal showdown against the Texas Longhorns on Monday, May 29.

The game against UCLA was a closely contested affair, with both teams displaying impressive offensive and defensive skills. For Stanford, it was their leadoff hitter, senior outfielder Alana Quintana Henderson, who set the tone with a solo home run in the top of the first inning. UCLA responded with a run in the bottom half of the frame, but Stanford's pitcher, senior Kathy Augustus, held her ground and kept the Bruins from scoring again until the seventh inning.

In the top of the seventh, with the score tied at 1-1, sophomore infielder Marissa Drewry delivered a go-ahead RBI single, driving in senior infielder Haley Cruse. UCLA managed to score one run in their final at-bat but fell short, as Augustus closed out the game with a strikeout to secure the victory for Stanford.

The win against UCLA was a significant achievement for the Cardinal, as they had lost to them earlier in the tournament. This time around, they were determined to come out on top and keep their WCWS dreams alive.

However, their journey was far from over. To advance to the championship series, they would have to face Texas, who had also won their game against Florida State earlier in the day. The double-elimination format of the tournament meant that both teams would play each other twice on Monday, with the winner advancing to the best-of-three championship series.

The first game between Stanford and Texas was scheduled for 12:00 PM local time, followed by a potential second game if necessary. The stakes were high, as both teams were eager to secure a spot in the championship series and compete for the national title. The outcome of this matchup would be crucial in determining which team would have the opportunity to continue their quest for glory in the WCWS.

In summary, Stanford's 3-2 victory over UCLA in the Women's College World Series kept their season alive and set up a pivotal showdown against Texas on Monday, May 29. The Cardinal would have to win both games against the Longhorns to advance to the championship series and continue their pursuit of a national title. The first game was scheduled for 12:00 PM local time, with a potential second game following if necessary.