Tennessee softball is moving on to the 2026 Women’s College World Series Semifinals thanks to a big swing from Emma Clarke. The Lady Vols’ second baseman hammered a home run to center field in the bottom of the ninth to provide a walk-off blow in extra innings.
This put UT over Texas Tech 2-1 in the WCWS matchup. Tennessee is now one win away, with two chances to grab it, from reaching the national championship series. The Lady Vols will know their opponent for the semifinals after tomorrow’s slate of games.
Clarke’s home run was her 14th of the season and second of the NCAA Tournament, after she also went yard in the Knoxville Regional. It was hit at 74.5 miles per hour off the bat and went 228 feet. This was just enough to clear the fence and call game.
Here is the video of the heroic swing:
CLARKE CALLED GAME
LADY VOLS WIN pic.twitter.com/RGc5jWXwVo
— Tennessee Softball (@Vol_Softball) May 30, 2026
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“I was just honestly looking for something lower in the zone because I knew that we had been chasing up all game,” Clarke said on the ABC broadcast. “Then, honestly, just swinging with everything that I had. No matter what pitch I swing at, just be convicted and hopefully the game rewarded me, and it did.”
Clarke finished the game 1-for-4 with her clutch home run going down as her only hit. However, she put the ball in play at each at-bat, but just couldn’t find a hit. At second base in the field, she also recorded six assists and two put-outs.
“Today, I just kept looking to the girls to my left and right,” Clarke also said on the broadcast. “And man, I just get so much joy from playing with them and playing beside people like this team, it just gives you all the confidence in the world. I heard my teammates from my dugout during that entire at-bat, ‘Hey, we got your back, Emma. We’re with you every pitch.’ So, I mean, come on.”
Tennessee’s first semifinal game is set for Monday at noon ET on ESPN.
