Megan Grant breaks Division I softball single-season record
PUBLISHED May 9, 2026, 12:10 AM ET
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. UCLA senior Megan Grant set the Division I single-season home run record when she hit her 38th homer on Saturday, following a game-tying 37th home run in a 19-5 semifinal the previous day. The record surpassed the 1995 mark of 37 set by Arizona’s Laura Espinoza and occurred during Big Ten Tournament play. Saturday’s record-setting homer came in the Big Ten Championship Game, but Nebraska defeated UCLA 7-2 to claim the conference title; Jordy Frahm allowed one earned run in a complete game five-hitter. Grant had trailed Kendall Wells by one homer entering tournament play; Wells had 36 and teammate Jordan Woolery had 33, leaving the season-long race active going into postseason competition.
By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- 1995 – Laura Espinoza sets Division I single-season home run record with 37 homers.
- This season – Kendall Wells compiles 36 home runs entering conference tournaments.
- Thursday – Grant homers against Penn State during tournament play.
- Friday – Grant hits her 37th, tying Espinoza in a 19-5 semifinal win over Wisconsin.
- Saturday – Grant hits her 38th, setting the new record; Nebraska beats UCLA 7-2 to win the Big Ten.
News Intelligence
- Megan Grant's record-breaking feat is a testament to hard work and determination. It's a reminder that even in sports, records are made to be broken. If you're a softball fan, this is a historic moment to celebrate. And if you're a parent, it's a great story to share with your kids about perseverance.
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Megan Grant and the UCLA softball program received national recognition after Grant set the Division I single-season home run record, raising the profile of the player and program during postseason play.
UCLA suffered the Big Ten championship loss to Nebraska 7-2 despite Grant's record-setting 38th home run, altering tournament outcomes even as individual records were set.
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Megan Grant breaks Division I softball single-season record
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