Sports
Maya Brady and UCLA defeat Georgia, move to cusp of Women's College World Series
The crack of the ball off Maya Brady’s bat in the first inning sent a swift, loud message.
“Storm’s a Bruin,” UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. “We’re here.”
Brady, the back-to-back Pac-12 player of the year, went three for four at the plate with two home runs in UCLA’s six-inning, 8-0 win over No. 11 Georgia in the first game of the Los Angeles Super Regional on Thursday. The No. 6 Bruins (41-10) can clinch a berth to the World Series with a win Friday at 7 p.m. at Easton Stadium in the best-of-three Super Regional.
UCLA is trying to make its eighth World Series appearance in nine years. The only blemish was last year’s winless postseason when the Bruins shockingly failed to advance out of the regional for the first time since 2013. The flop was traumatic enough for Inouye-Perez to hire a mental performance coach. Armondo Gonzalez has counseled the team all season, putting players at ease by saying any outcome is “already written.”
“For us, it honestly lifts a weight off of us,” Brady said. “Yes, we obviously have a say in our performance, but at the end of the day, there’s an outcome that’s already written that no matter if we strike out or we go four for four, that was the outcome that was supposed to happen. I think for us, it just allows us to kind of let go and play free.”
Including UCLA’s three wins in the regional round last weekend, Brady is nine for 12 at the plate in four postseason games with six extra base hits and five RBIs. Her leadoff home run in the fifth inning sparked a four-run burst highlighted by a three-run homer from Jordan Woolery that transformed a tight two-run game into a run-rule watch. Junior Savannah Pola clinched UCLA’s first Super Regional mercy rule win since 2010 with a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth.
The Bruins, who won the Pac-12 regular-season and tournament titles, have won 12 consecutive games and 24 of their last 26. Brady raised her eyebrows in surprise when she heard the stats at the postgame news conference.
UCLA starting pitcher Kaitlyn Terry delivers during the Bruins’ 8-0 win Thursday over Georgia.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Along with her electric bat, the shortstop helped turn two double plays on defense to support freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Terry, who gave up four hits and three walks with five strikeouts in six innings.
The left-hander allowed a baserunner in each of the first five innings — three walks and two singles — but effortlessly worked her way out of danger with the help of her defense.
Left fielder Jadelyn Allchin’s diving catch in the second inning set the tone for the defense. Woolery caught a ball in foul territory while sliding to her knee in the third inning after Terry gave up a leadoff single. The pitcher allowed a leadoff walk in the fourth, but Brady erased it flawlessly, taking a hard-hit ball from Georgia’s Sara Mosley off the bounce, tagging second and firing the ball to Woolery at first.
Terry gave up four hits and three walks with five strikeouts in a complete-game victory. She faced her biggest threat in the sixth with runners on the corners and two outs, but used a devastating off-speed pitch to freeze Georgia’s Lyndi Raw Davis. Terry stomped her foot and whipped her fist in the air and the Bulldogs catcher trudged back to the dugout.
UCLA shortstop Maya Brady reacts after completing a double play in front of Georgia’s Jayda Kearney in the fourth inning Thursday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
UCLA players celebrate after defeating Georgia 8-0 in the NCAA Super Regionals on Thursday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The Bruins avenged a 7-2 loss to the Bulldogs (43-18) from Feb. 16. Gonzalez reminded the Bruins of the loss before the game, emphasizing that they were a different team than the one that struggled in tournament play. The loss, UCLA’s first to Georgia since 2012, dropped the Bruins to 3-4, their worst start since 1986.
“This team in ‘24 in the beginning was carrying the burden of figuring out who we were,” Inouye-Perez said.
The 18-year coach recalled a favorite quote: “She remembered who she was and the game changed.” The Bruins remembered that while they weren’t getting the outcomes early, they still had the ability to be the perennial championship contenders who lead the nation with 12 NCAA titles.
“We understand our sport so that has freed up the pressure of what we need to do or for UCLA,” Inouye-Perez said. “They’re just playing ball, which I love … When they play freely, man, we see some serious Bruin magic.”
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Winning two knockout stage games? That means you’re really in the running to win the World Cup.
Let’s check out the updated odds for which countries will make it to the quarterfinals at FanDuel Sportsbook as of July 1.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
To Reach Quarterfinals
France: -1250 (bet $10 to win $10.80 total)
Argentina: -425 (bet $10 to win $12.35 total)
Morocco: -260 (bet $10 to win $13.85 total)
Brazil: -240 (bet $10 to win $14.17 total)
England: -175 (bet $10 to win $15.71 total)
Spain: -140 (bet $10 to win $17.14 total)
Colombia: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)
USA: +105 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total)
Mexico: +140 (bet $10 to win $24 total)
Norway: +160 (bet $10 to win $26 total)
Portugal: +175 (bet $10 to win $27.50 total)
Canada: +180 (bet $10 to win $28 total)
Belgium: +185 (bet $10 to win $28.50 total)
Switzerland: +195 (bet $10 to win $29.50 total)
Senegal: +370 (bet $10 to win $47 total)
Algeria: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Egypt: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
Ghana: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)
The USA is currently one of the favorites to reach the World Cup quarterfinals (Getty Images).
Here’s what to know about this oddsboard.
Recent History: The quarterfinals are kinda a given for France, at least in recent years. The French have made it to at least the quarterfinals in five of the last seven World Cups, and they have made the final in four of the last seven years, winning the tournament twice. Les Bleus are now heavy favorites at -1250 to beat Paraguay and get back to the quarterfinals.
The Host Nations: Before this summer, Canada had never won a World Cup match in two tournament appearances. But that has all changed. Canada is through to the Round of 16 after beating South Africa in the Round of 32. As for Mexico, it has recorded four straight scoreless wins to start the tournament for the first time in its nation’s history. El Tri will look to get back to the quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years after dominating Ecuador in the Round of 32. After its win over Ecuador, Mexico jumped from +290 to +140 to make the quarters. The U.S. looks to replicate the other two host nations’ knockout stage performances against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.
Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda celebrates after the Dodgers beat the Montreal Expos to win the NL pennant in 1981.
(Associated Press)
Years as manager: 1976-1996
Record: 1,599-1,439, .526 win pct
After serving as the team’s third base coach for four seasons, Lasorda took over as manager late in the 1976 season when Alston announced his retirement. He led the Dodgers to the National League pennant in his first two full seasons, losing both times to the Yankees in the World Series. He won his first World Series in 1981, knocking off the Yankees, and rallied his team to a surprise title in 1988 in which the Dodgers beat the heavily favored Athletics. Lasorda was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, his first year of eligibility.
A fiery and vibrant presence who spent 71 years with the Dodgers, Lasorda managed nine players who won the NL rookie of the year award. The Dodgers also opened the Japanese player pipeline on his watch. Hideo Nomo, the first Japanese big leaguer to permanently relocate to the U.S., joined the Dodgers in 1995. Three decades later, the team features Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on its star-studded roster.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Back in January, the odds that King James would retire before the beginning of the 2026-27 season were slightly longer than the odds that he would give it another go.
But as of now, it looks like LeBron will, in fact, give it another go but with a team other than the Lakers.
Here are the latest odds for where James could land next season at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 30.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
LeBron James Next Team Odds
Golden State Warriors: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
Los Angeles Lakers: +105 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total)
Cleveland Cavaliers: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Miami Heat: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
New York Knicks: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Detroit Pistons: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Dallas Mavericks: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
San Antonio Spurs: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Milwaukee Bucks: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Brooklyn Nets: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Washington Wizards: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
NBA free agency begins on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. However, hours before its official start, LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, made a jaw-dropping announcement.
According to ESPN reporting, Paul notified the Lakers that the franchise could move on without LeBron because he plans to play elsewhere for the 2026-27 season.
James played for the organization for eight years — the longest he’s played for any other team. While in L.A., King James broke the all-time scoring record, won an NBA title and earned his fourth NBA Finals MVP.
The imprint he’s left on the league in his more than 20 years has been immeasurable.
Where will LeBron land next season now that his time in Los Angeles is over?
In addition to his tenure in Los Angeles, he’s played for the Cavaliers and the Heat, winning titles with all three franchises. He won Rookie of the Year, has four regular-season MVPs and is a 22-time All-Star.
James has averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 boards and 7.4 assists over the course of his career.
During the 2025-26 season, he helped lead the Lakers to a 53-29 record in the regular season. The team secured the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and defeated Houston 4-2 in the first round.
Eventually, Los Angeles got bounced by Oklahoma City in the conference semifinals, 4-0, which marked LeBron’s last dance in Hollywood.
-
San Francisco, CA4 minutes agoThe San Francisco Church That Holds America’s Secrets
-
Dallas, TX7 minutes agoCrews battle large fire at Pilates studio in Uptown Dallas, officials say
-
Miami, FL7 minutes agoalaïa clads first miami boutique in pink mosaic tiles, from interior to facade
-
Boston, MA19 minutes agoLooking for a lodging adventure? Beat the heat at a floating B&B. – The Boston Globe
-
Denver, CO22 minutes agoLavender festival, Tennyson Street Fair and more free and cheap things to do in July
-
Seattle, WA34 minutes agoSeattle’s solution for the middle-class housing squeeze: government housing | CNN Business
-
San Diego, CA37 minutes agoAn Apprentice Program for Commercial Fishing
-
Milwaukee, WI42 minutes ago
Connecting Milwaukee teens to summer work
