Two top-10 teams faced tough challenges over the weekend, with No. 25 Ole Miss and UCF delivering statement wins against ranked opponents. Ole Miss took down No. 10 Arkansas in back-to-back games before falling in the series finale, while UCF stunned No. 7 Arizona with two wins before the Wildcats bounced back on Sunday. Here’s how all of the action played out.
UCF stuns No. 7 Arizona, takes historic series win
UCF softball pulled off one of the biggest wins in program history, taking two of three games from No. 7 Arizona in Tucson to claim its highest-ranked series victory ever.
The Knights (19-8-1, 2-1 Big 12) opened the series with a dominant 9-3 win on Friday, fueled by home runs from Beth Damon, Ashleigh Griffin, and Stormy Kotzelnick. Redshirt freshman Isabella Vega held Arizona’s high-powered offense in check, while Kaitlyn Felton closed the door with a 1.2-inning save.
Saturday’s game proved even more dramatic, as UCF rallied from an early deficit to edge the Wildcats 5-4. Aubrey Evans tied the game with a two-run homer in the third before Griffin launched a go-ahead two-run shot in the fifth. Felton delivered again in relief, stranding multiple Arizona baserunners to secure the upset and clinch the series.
Arizona (22-4, 1-2 Big 12) salvaged the finale on Sunday, jumping out to an early lead and cruising to a 10-1 victory. Sierra Humphreys homered in the third for UCF’s lone run, her second multi-hit game of the series.
Despite the Sunday loss, UCF leaves Tucson with a program-defining achievement. The Knights now own four ranked wins this season and will look to carry their momentum into a Wednesday showdown against No. 3 Florida in Gainesville.
No. 25 Ole Miss upsets No. 10 Arkansas in series win
No. 25 Ole Miss secured a statement series victory over No. 10 Arkansas, winning the first two games before falling in a lopsided finale Sunday. The series win marks a major SEC upset for the Rebels, who overpowered the Razorbacks with explosive offense in the opening two matchups.
Ole Miss (20-4, 2-1 SEC) set the tone Friday with a dominant 9-1 run-rule victory, breaking the game open with a seven-run sixth inning. Lexie Brady’s two-run homer sparked the outburst, while Persy Llamas capped it with a three-run double. Miali Guachino delivered a complete-game gem, striking out five and allowing just one unearned run.
The Rebels backed it up Saturday with another offensive showcase, rolling past Arkansas 9-3. Ole Miss pounced with a five-run second inning, led by Jaden Pone’s two-run double and Aliyah Binford’s two-run single. Brady stayed hot, blasting her sixth home run in nine games, and Binford sealed the win with a complete-game effort in the circle.
Arkansas (20-3, 1-2 SEC) salvaged the finale in emphatic fashion, erupting for a program-record 20 runs in a 20-3, five-inning rout. The Razorbacks plated five in the first, three in the third, and seven in the fourth to put the game out of reach.
Despite the tough ending, Ole Miss leaves the weekend with a signature series win and will look to keep the momentum going in SEC play.
Gabby Leach's jaw-dropping grab stuns Georgia
No. 8 Tennessee's series-clinching win over No. 14 Georgia had no shortage of big moments, but none were more jaw-dropping than Gabby Leach’s defensive gem in the first inning. The sophomore outfielder made a fully extended, diving grab down the right-field line to rob Georgia of extra bases and end the frame. The play preserved an early 1-0 deficit for Tennessee, setting the stage for the Lady Vols’ late-game rally. Leach, who’s been heating up at the plate this season, showed off her glove in a moment that had Vol Nation buzzing. 🎥⬇️
GABBY...WHAT A GRAB 👀#NCAASoftball #SCTop10 x 🎥 SECN+ / @Vol_Softball pic.twitter.com/sFFzguesya
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) March 9, 2025
