The Women’s College World Series is officially underway. The final eight teams have converged in Oklahoma City, ready to battle it out. Weather permitting, all will take the field Thursday, and in just over a week, one team will raise the NCAA championship trophy in triumph.
If you need a quick recap of the format, here it is: the eight teams are divided into two brackets of four. Each bracket runs as a double-elimination tournament, much like the regional rounds. The winners of these brackets then face off in a best-of-three series to crown the national champion.
At least one Southeastern Conference (SEC) team is guaranteed to reach the finals, as one bracket features only SEC teams. This group includes newcomers Oklahoma and Texas, recently added to the league, while the other bracket holds a mix of teams including one from the Big 12 Conference, the conference Texas and Oklahoma left behind. Below is a breakdown of the opening day matchups to get you started.
No. 3 Florida vs. No. 6 Texas
Time/TV: 12:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
The afternoon session is essentially an all-SEC affair, meaning these teams know each other well. Back in March, Texas took two of three games from Florida on the road, blasting 20 runs over the first two contests. Florida managed to dodge the sweep with a narrow 3-1 victory in the finale. Both squads can light up the scoreboard, anchored by Florida’s Taylor Shumaker, who has racked up 86 RBIs, and Texas’s Reese Atwood, close behind with 85. Expect an offensive showcase.
No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 Tennessee
Time/TV: 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Sooners begin their quest for a fifth straight championship in familiar territory near their campus. Tennessee, however, proved tough competition this season, winning two out of three games against Oklahoma earlier in the year. Volunteer pitcher Karlyn Pickens managed to keep Oklahoma’s formidable offense mostly quiet. If the Sooners rally, All-American outfielder Kasidi Pickering will surely be in the thick of the action.
No. 12 Texas Tech vs. Mississippi
Time/TV: 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Unlike the top eight seeds who held steady in one bracket, this side saw upsets shake things up. Both Texas Tech and Ole Miss had to win on the road last week to reach this stage, but both succeeded. Texas Tech leans heavily on national ERA leader NiJaree Canady, who boasts an impressive 0.89 ERA and is a reliable force on the mound. Ole Miss is making its WCWS debut, fueled by the dynamic two-way player Aliyah Binford and steady catcher Lexie Brady, who have provided clutch performances throughout the season.
No. 9 UCLA vs. No. 16 Oregon
Time/TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
This classic West Coast rivalry serves as the nightcap, fitting for a showdown between two long-standing foes. UCLA endured a lengthy road trip to South Carolina for their super regional, while Oregon, now a fellow Big Ten member, claimed their season series at home against the Bruins. Lyndsey Grein played a key role in holding UCLA’s powerful lineup in check during Oregon’s wins. But don’t count out UCLA; when hitters like Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery get rolling, big innings are always on the table.
With this lineup of matchups, fans are in for a thrilling opening day at the WCWS. Each game promises intense competition, powerful offense, and clutch pitching as the tournament marches toward crowning the next NCAA softball champion.