Florida, UCF Softball Teams Face Elimination in NCAA Super Regionals

Two of Florida's top college softball programs woke up Wednesday with their seasons on the line, each one loss away from an early exit in the NCAA Super Regionals.

Florida dropped a wild 10-8 decision to Texas Tech in Game 1, while UCF was run-ruled 9-1 by UCLA in five innings — leaving both programs in an identical, unforgiving position: win twice or go home.

Florida's collapse was the more stunning of the two. The Gators rallied from a 7-1 deficit to tie Texas Tech at 8 in the bottom of the sixth, only to watch former Gator Mia Williams — now playing for the Red Raiders — hit a go-ahead home run in the top of the seventh to seal the loss. It was a gut-punch finish, and an especially pointed one given the source. The two teams combined for seven home runs in a game that swung wildly before Texas Tech held on. Florida faces a win-or-go-home rematch against the Red Raiders today at 12:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

UCF's situation in Los Angeles looks steeper. The Knights, who finished fourth in the Big 12 this season, were never competitive against the Bruins. UCLA's Rylee Slimp ended the game early with a walk-off, three-run homer that triggered the run rule. UCF will need to beat UCLA twice starting tonight at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN to advance. The Knights earned their Super Regional berth in Tallahassee by knocking off nationally seeded Florida State 4-2 in the deciding regional game — one of the more impressive wins of any Florida program this postseason.

For UCF, just being here carries weight. This is only the second Super Regional appearance in program history, the first coming in 2022, making the run itself a milestone regardless of what happens next.

The winner of each best-of-three series advances to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City.

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