How to Watch Arkansas Softball’s Must-Win WCWS Game Against UCLA

Arkansas didn’t get the start it wanted in Oklahoma City, but the Razorbacks don’t have time to dwell on it. UCLA is next, and the Bruins bring a completely different kind of challenge.

Before first pitch, here’s everything to know about what Arkansas is up against.

The Opponent: UCLA

UCLA rolled into Oklahoma City with an offense that looked unstoppable until Alabama put up some road blocks in Thursday’s first round game.

This WCWS field has teams that can really hit and teams that can really pitch, but the Bruins are the only group that overwhelms you in both categories. They’re averaging 10.9 runs per game, which is well ahead of everyone else in OKC, and they still allow fewer runs than any team in the field.

UCLA leads D-I with 47 multi-HR innings, only UCLA and Oklahoma have more than 30 such innings this season 🔥

UCLA: 47
Oklahoma: 42 pic.twitter.com/Mr5AGiHur2

— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) May 29, 2026

The lineup is the story. Almost every regular has an OPS over 1.000, and even if you removed stars Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery, UCLA would still have one of the best offenses here. Rylee Slimp, Alexis Ramirez, Aleena Garcia and Bri Alejandre have been just as productive in the NCAA Tournament, combining for seven homers and 19 RBIs. Then you add Grant’s 40 homers and 1.983 OPS and Woolery’s 34 homers and 112 RBIs, and it becomes clear why no lead feels safe against them.

The one concern is that UCLA can give up runs in bunches. Cal Baptist nearly knocked them out in their first regional game by scoring 10 in the fifth inning, and the Bruins have allowed double-digit runs eight times this season. Their eight losses came with an average of 8.3 runs allowed.

Taylor Tinsley has steadied things since that scare, throwing all 25 innings since with a 2.24 ERA. With this offense, she doesn’t have to be perfect. She just has to keep the game from turning into a track meet.

Weather Forecast

Inclement weather stayed away from the WCWS on Thursday and has an even smaller chance of showing up Friday. According to the National Weather Service forecast for nighttime in Oklahoma City, there’s “a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind around 9 mph becoming east southeast in the evening.”

Ella McWow 😱

Another outstanding play at the hot corner from Ella sends us to the ninth!

E8 | Arkansas 3, Nebraska 3 pic.twitter.com/d3lYZt6yGt

— Arkansas Softball (@RazorbackSB) May 29, 2026

How to Watch: No. 8 UCLA vs. No. 5 Arkansas

• Who: No. 8 UCLA vs. No. 5 Arkansas
• When: 8:30 p.m., Friday
• Where: OG&E Energy Field at Devon Park, Oklahoma City
• TV: ESPN
• Radio: Live Radio
• Stats: Live Stats
• Series History: All-time series is tied 1-1
• Last Meeting: UCLA 9, Arkansas 1 (February 22, 2025)
• Last time out, Razorbacks: lost to No. 4 Nebraska, 5-3 (10 innings)
• Last time out, Bruins: lost to No. 1 Alabama, 6-3

Day 2️⃣ loading

📺 ESPN
📻 @westwood1sports
📲 https://t.co/qUiNNcKdPB
🔗 https://t.co/mWzbvHmFQC#WCWS pic.twitter.com/KcP9CSROJm

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 29, 2026

Betting Odds

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

Moneyline

• Missouri State: -158
• Arkansas: +124