Women's College World Series 2024 highlights: UCLA tops Alabama in opener with 3-run blast

It was a thrilling start to the 2024 Women's College World Series. The UCLA Bruins, battled it out against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the highly-anticipated Game 1 of the tournament and came out on top, 4-1, to move the Bruins to the winning side of the bracket.

The journey to the 2024 Women's College World Series hasn't been easy for the Bruins. They started the season with a 3-4 record, their worst since 1986. However, they refused to be defined by their early struggles. Instead, the Bruins used that as fuel to turn their season around. Now, UCLA find themselves among the final eight teams competing for a national championship at the WCWS.

All eyes were on senior shortstop Maya Brady. This will be her last opportunity to etch her name and number 13 into the history of the UCLA program with a national title. Brady, who currently holds the record for the second-most home runs in program history at 71, will begin her quest on leaving her mark on the UCLA softball program.

After a rain delay, Game 1 was underway in Oklahoma City. Here are the top moments from UCLA-Alabama at the WCWS.

2024 Women's College World Series:Bracket, schedule and streaming information

Must-see moments from UCLA-Alabama

Here are the top moments from Game 1 of the Women's College World Series against UCLA vs. Alabama.

Alabama pushed into a must-win or go home game

The Alabama Crimson Tide will now move to the losing side of the bracket and will have a quick turnaround in the tournament's double-elimination format. The Crimson Tide will play on Friday at 7 p.m. ET against the losing team in the Oklahoma-Duke game.

UCLA wins the home opener against Alabama

Jordan Woolery's home run in the sixth inning sealed the victory for the Bruins against the Crimson Tide and moved them to the winning side of the bracket. Alabama will have a day of rest and will play again on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET against the winner of the Oklahoma vs. Duke game.

Woolery hits it out of the park

Jordan Woolery hit a home run to left field, bringing three runners home. UCLA leads 4-1 as they head into the top of the seventh.

Quick turnaround for Alabama

Alabama was unable to score another run for the Crimson Tide. UCLA is up to bat, aiming to take the lead over Alabama in the bottom of the sixth.

Even ball game heading into the 6th

Alabama gets the quick three outs, with Kayla Beaver pitching another three up, three down. UCLA is at bat at the top of the sixth.

Alabama ties it up in the 5th

The bases were loaded in the fifth inning with a new pitcher, Taylor Tinsley. The Crimson Tide took advantage of this opportunity and Kenleigh Cahalan tied the game with an RBI single, putting the Crimson Tide on the scoreboard.

Pitching change for UCLA

Taylor Tinsley will take over pitching for UCLA in the top of the fifth with a runner on first and no outs.

1,2,3 for Beaver

Alabama pitcher Kayla Beaver retires three batters in a row again for the second time this game, keeping the Bruins up 1-0 as they head into the fifth inning.

Alabama's missed opportunity

Alabama's Marlie Giles was caught stealing second; the catcher throws to the shortstop to get her out. UCLA's Kaitlyn Terry makes fast work of Alabama, keeping the Crimson Tide scoreless.

Bruins on top

In the bottom of the third inning, Jadelyn Allchin's base hit brought Janelle Meoño home, putting the Bruins on the scoreboard. Kayla Beaver managed to limit the damage by allowing only one run and closing the inning. It's now the top of the fourth inning, and the Crimson Tide are up at bat.

Scoreless at the bottom of the third

A runner on base for Alabama in the top of the third doesn't result in a run as UCLA closes the inning. UCLA is up to bat in the bottom of the third.

Three up, Three down

Kayla Beaver kept it short and sweet, retiring three batters in a row to keep the game scoreless heading into the third inning. Alabama is up to bat.

UCLA keeps it scoreless in the second

Alabama's Bailey Dowling singles to the left to get on base, but a fly ball out to center from Lauren Esman ends the inning for the Tide. Now, UCLA is back up to bat at the bottom of the second.

UCLA-Alabama is scoreless through one

Alabama's Kayla Beaver is on fire in the first inning, striking out and getting a pop-up to round out the three outs. Now, UCLA is back up to bat to top the second.

Alabama vs UCLA top of the first

Alabama's Larissa Preuitt got one hit in their first at-bat but failed to score in the first inning. UCLA will lead off with their heavy hitter, Maya Brady, at the top of the batting lineup, facing Crimson Tide senior pitcher Kayla Beaver.

A Pac-12-SEC Showdown

It's the last chance for UCLA to win a Women's College World Series for the Pac-12, as they will be closing down after this tournament, and the Bruins will be moving to the Big Ten. The Bruins will need to get past the SEC powerhouse Alabama first.

The Crimson Tide is making its third WCWS appearance in four years and enters the tournament with a 38-18 overall record.

Alabama-UCLA game time:

The sweet sight of the tarp getting removed, which means we may indeed get to see this first pitch at 12:36 p.m. CT for what was scheduled to be an 11:00 a.m. game local time.

WCWS weather delay fun:

It's painful to sit back and wait for something as exciting as the Women's College World Series. Luckily, the NCAA social account was there to document how the athletes are making use of the extra time.

WCWS weather delay update:

It looks like officials are going to try to get this game in soon with a start time of 12:36 p.m. CT.

UCLA Bruins Game 1 lineup

Once the teams are able to play, this will be the UCLA lineup for Game 1 against Alabama.

30 minute for every lightning strike

Severe storms are passing through Oklahoma City. For each lightning strike, the start of Game 1 between UCLA and Alabama will be delayed by an additional 30 minutes. No specific time has been set to begin Game 1.

Oklahoma City weather

Game 1 has entered a weather delay after lightning in the area. Oklahoma City's weather forecasts project thunderstorms to last through 2 p.m. CT.

How to watch WCWS: Alabama-UCLA

• Date: Thursday, May 30
• Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
• Where: OGE Field at Devon Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Broadcast: ESPN
• Stream: ESPN+

How to watch:Catch the Women College World Series with a ESPN+ Subscription

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