UCLA advances in College World Series as Megan Grant breaks career home run record
Megan Grant’s 91st career home run surpasses Stacey Nuveman’s mark, propelling UCLA into Sunday’s elimination match against the loser of the Tennessee-Texas Tech contest.
UCLA softball player Megan Grant broke the university’s career home run record during a College World Series match against Arkansas on Friday night. Grant hit her 91st career home run in the second inning, surpassing former UCLA star Stacey Nuveman to become the program’s all-time leader in home runs. The milestone came as part of an 11-run burst in the second inning, during which every Bruins player scored a run.
Grant, who currently holds the NCAA single-season record with 42 home runs, described the achievement as “like a dream.” She expressed honour at being mentioned alongside Nuveman, noting that the former player was a powerhouse in the sport. The record-breaking home run was the team’s third of the inning, contributing to a dominant offensive performance that saw UCLA score 11 runs.
The victory resulted in an 11-0 run-rule win, eliminating Arkansas from the tournament. The game concluded in just five innings due to the large margin of points. Arkansas coach Courtney Deifel acknowledged the disparity, stating that UCLA exposed her team’s weaknesses when they were not performing at their best.
UCLA now advances to face the loser of the Saturday game between Tennessee and Texas Tech. The Bruins are scheduled to play this elimination match on Sunday, where a loss would end their season. Grant will look to extend both her single-season and career records as the team continues its tournament campaign.
The College World Series remains a high-stakes stage for collegiate softball, with each elimination match carrying significant weight for the participating teams. Grant’s performance has placed her firmly in the historical context of UCLA softball, joining the ranks of previous record holders while the team focuses on securing a spot in the next round.
