Women's College World Series Recap
For the last few years, I have always tried to take a moment to talk about the college softball tournament. It always sneaks up on you so there isn’t time to cover it beforehand (maybe next year), but that is what makes the greatest show on dirt so special and fun. If you missed it, here is a fairly long but detailed recap.
How Does it Work?
When you look at the bracket, it’s breath taking to see how many teams we start with only to knock it down to the best eight teams that get to play for it all in Oklahoma City. With this and the NBA finals both going on, I never thought I’d say OKC is the center of the sports world - but here we are. There were 16 regionals where programs got to host games and then the winners advance to super regional games. There was a lot happening here, so we are going to zoom through this as fast as we can to get to main events.
Number one overall seed Texas A&M hosted the regional in College Station. In one of the biggest shockers in the history of the sport, Liberty came out of nowhere and beat the Aggies in their own park knocking them out of the tournament. Oregon hosted their own regional in Eugene and took care of business. In a best two out of three series, the 16th ranked Ducks beat the Flames 2-0 to advance to the world series.
Florida is program that had success in the sport winning back to back titles in 2014 and 2015. Looking to get back to Oklahoma City, they hosted a regional in Gainesville and was able to advance to the super regional. Duke hosted a regional game as well in their home of Durham and have had some success as a new program. However, it was Georgia that made it out which set up a coaching matchup of good friends between the SEC rivals Florida and Georgia. It was the Gators ranked 3rd coming in who came out of that super regional series two games to one.
Out west, college softball powerhouse UCLA hosted a regional game in LA looking to win their first title since 2019. They came out victorious as did their super regional advisory South Carolina, who won their home regional in Columbia. South Carolina took the first game and had the Bruins on the brink of elimination. However, South Carolina coach and former player at the school Ashley Chastain Woodard made a huge mistake. She made a pitching change that came back to haunt her and on UCLA’s last strike of the season, Jordan Woolery hit a two run homerun to send the series to a third game where UCLA took the series. UCLA ranked 9th knocked out the 8th ranked SEC squad to get back to where they have won more than anybody in the sport.
Clemson has only been a program for six years and they have been in the mix. The 2020 season was canceled due to obvious reasons, but since then the Tigers made it to either the regional or super regional round. They won the ACC title for the first time besting juggernaut Florida State. After winning their regional in Clemson, they drew the winner of the Austin regional - the home team Texas. Texas had made it to the WCWS, but were 0-7 and lost two of the last three to Oklahoma. In a clash of the number 6 ranked Longhorns and 11th ranked upstarts from Clemson, the Tigers took game one only to drop the next two. So Texas moved on to the next round.
Heading back to Florida this time in Tallahassee, Florida State hosted a regional again fighting hard for their head coach. Lonnie Alameda is sadly battling cancer and her fight inspired her squad. They faced the winner of the regional in Lubbock which is the home of the Texas Tech program that sent shockwaves the softball. They announced the signing transfer pitcher Nijaree Canady to a one million dollar deal, and she just signed a second one. More on this in a little bit. 12th ranked Texas Tech beat 5th FSU in two games and for the first time in the Lonnie Alameda era, the Seminoles bowed out before the world series.
Now we go to Rocky Top, whoo! Sorry it’s part of the fight song so I’m obligated to say it. It’s in the rulebook. Anyway, the Lady Vols have been in the mix multiple times but can’t seem to seal the deal. They rolled in their own regional in Knoxville. They would face the winner of the regional in Baton Rouge where things got crazy. Hosts LSU fell to the dark horse of all dark horses, South East Louisiana. SE LA made it to the final of that regional to fall to Nebraska. The Cornhuskers led by Jordy Bahl were tying to embrace the Nebraska pride on their roster to get back to the WCWS. Bahl famously helped Oklahoma get back to back titles as a pitcher, and then stunned everybody by leaving to head back to her home state. A torn ACL later, she returned as now both a pitcher and hitter. Bahl was amazing as she always is, but it was the 7th ranked Lady Vols that took that series 2-1.
Back out west in Tucson, Arizona was trying to return to glory. The 13th ranked team had never lost in regional they hosted. Notice how I said had. Ole Miss out of nowhere won the regional and advanced to the super to play 4th ranked Arkansas, who won their host regional in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks lately have had good teams but have not been able to get to OKC. The drought will go on one more year as the Rebels got their first ever program bid.
Okay, I swear this is the last one before we get to the final teams. If you need to take a break I don’t blame you. This is already much longer than I thought it would be. But hey, we’re committed now! The 15th ranked team in the land was Alabama and they hosted a regional in Tuscaloosa. They won and faced the winners of the regional in Norman, a few miles away from OKC. Oklahoma entered as the four time defending champions. Yes, you are reading this correctly. If you started watching this only recently like I did, OU might be the only team you have seen win it all. OU in their first regional game drew the champions of the Patriot League, the Boston University Terriers. Now based on everything I just told you, I think you can figure out that this did not go well for BU. 2nd ranked OU took the Norman regional and beat Alabama to secure a ninth consecutive trip up the road in OKC. Alright, I don’t know about you but I’m already exhausted. Let’s go get some coffee and come back later.
WCWS
And we’re back! The eight remaining teams made their way to OKC and the matchups were the first round were set. Teams at this juncture need to stay in the winners part of the bracket to advance and get a day off. If you lose, you shift over to the side of the bracket where if you lose two times in a row the journey is over.
Texas and Florida got the party started for the first of many SEC rival matchups. Head coach Mike White had gotten so close to winning it all both with Texas and his former program of Oregon. He’s one of the guys you root for. The Longhorns had been ridding sophomore pitcher Tegan Kavan all year so she got the ball in the circle to start. The Gators had no answers as she pitched a complete game two hit shutout, and for some extra run support Texas hit three solo home run. Notre Dame Grad transfer Joley Mitchell hit two of the bombs while Katie Stewart added another. It was the Longhorns who cruised to a 3-0 victory.
Then it was the defending champions turn to get into the mix. The Sooners drew the strong pitching of Karlyn Pickens and the Lady Vols. Pickens this past season broke the record for the fastest pitch in softball twice clocking in both a 78 and 79 MPH pitch. That’s not normal. Tennessee got off to a fast start and we all made the mistake to doubt Oklahoma. This win in large part was thanks to Ella Parker for her solo shot to cut the lead and then her walk at the bottom of the seventh. Sooner magic lived on as they stun Tennessee 4-3.
In the battle of the first timers, Texas Tech drew Ole Miss. Now on the national stage, Red Raiders coach Gerry Glasco was becoming a household name. He didn’t start coaching until his 40s when his daughters played. He worked his way up in the youth leagues, high school ranks, become a college assistant where he went to the WCWS three times, and then became a head coach at Louisiana and now Texas Tech. His three daughters have all played or coached in the world series. One is on his staff after reaching as a player, one played in 2008, and one reached with Mike White at Oregon before she passed away. Glasco is a coach who plays aggressive with heavy stealing and is a bit unconventional as he drives around the country with hitting machines to help is players practice. The starting pitchers in this game, Niajree Canady for Texas Tech and Aliyah Binford were in one heck of a pitchers duel. Something had to give and Texas Tech got the 1-0 victory.
As it got late in Oklahoma City, the night cap was a blast from the past from the original PAC 12 conference. Now in the Big 10, Oregon and UCLA renewed the fun spirit of Pac 12 after dark, but not before a weather delay. This game was already going late and this made it go even later. Credit to the fans for hanging in there especially the younger ones. Lyndsey Grein vs Kaitlyn Terry proved to be one of the best pitching matchups of the day with Terry going the whole way for UCLA. The Ducks looked to have tied the game 2-2 but Paige Sinicki was called out after Bruins catcher Alexis Ramirez got tag at home. A lengthy and controversial review deemed there was obstruction, an illegal blocking, to tie the game. Jessica Clements got revenge for UCLA and walked it off with a home run for the 4-2 win.
First Elimination Games
Tennessee was able to bounce back in their make or break game against Florida and it really was not close at all. The Lady Vols knocked out the Gators 11-3 as the game only went five innings with the run rule. Oregon and Ole Miss got locked into a really tough game that again went long. Grien did not start for the Ducks but came in as a reliever and had to throw a lot of pitches. Ole Miss got a fate they did not deserve and lost on a walk, ending their season with a 6-5 defeat.
Next Round
As the herd began to thin, the action ramped up. We got ourselves the Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma where Texas was looking to beat the Sooners for the first time in the tournament. At this point, reports were coming out about Texas player Mia Scott who was playing an exceptional third base. She was playing on a torn ACL. That did not stop her as she got a home run against OU. Another home rum by shortstop Leighann Goode and another complete game from Kavan helped left the Longhorns over the Sooners 4-2 sending OU to the elimination section of the bracket.
Texas Tech followed that up with playing UCLA and Canady was dealing again. She wanted to hit more, which in part why she chose to join the program and she performed well over the season. Her bat went quiet but the flamethrower arm certainly did not. It was a tough game where everybody dug their heels in without giving an inch. Something crazy needed to happen to break the seal on the scoring. If only we had an aggressive coach in this game. Oh wait, we did. Gerry Glasco in a zero to zero game did the unthinkable and signed that he wanted a steal of home plate and Makayla Garcia got the job done. Sliding through the legs of the Bruins catcher Ramirez who was having an amazing tournament, the Red Raiders took the led in the fifth inning. The steal of second prior caught her off guard. Hailey Toney’s homer and another run brought home gave the defeat to UCLA 3-1 giving them one more chance to win and advance.
In the next set of elimination games, UCLA got a tough draw with Tennessee and Oklahoma had to play Oregon. The Lady Vols once again sent out Pickens whose pitch count was getting very large. She was getting worn out and you could see it the way UCLA was hitting off her. UCLA got down 4-2 and were up against it and were down to their last out. Megan Grant got a two run shot to tie the game which looked to be what the doctor ordered. But folks, then we had some drama. Tennessee challenged to see if Grant touched home plate. What everyone thought was just a Hail Mary challenge revealed that Grant did not touch the plate right away, and Ramirez pushed her back to make sure she did during the celebration. By rule, that cannot happen. If this would be the case, Grant would be out and the season would end that way. After close to a 20 minute review, the ruling stood as called. The umpire said she missed the plate and got help getting back, but even after reviewing it said that the play was not reviewable under Appendix G in the rule book. The Vols contingency was furious and appeared to file a formal protest. In the end during extra innings (7 is as far as they go unless a run rule/mercy rule ends the game early), it was the softball gods with the natural correction as Laura Mealer in the bottom of the ninth hit the winning run to set up a semifinal matchup for Tennessee with Texas.
Texas Tech awaited the winner of Oregon and OU. For the Ducks, Grien got more work yet again and like Pickens you could see it getting to her. In both cases, this was a dereliction of duty from the coaches for not resting their aces and giving more pitchers a chance. Cydney Sanders and Isabella Emerling hit balls out of the park to help power the Sooners into the semis 4-1.
Semifinals
Texas and Tennessee got it going first and Kavan got a bit of a rest at the jump to allow Mac Morgan to pitch. Key takeaway here, rest your pitchers! Morgan was able to get through four innings without giving up much and then gave way to Tegan Kavan again. Katie Stewart was heard from again as she left the park with a home run and they also scored on an error. Pickens was solid but could not get the run support she desperately needed. Texas advanced to the world series 2-0.
Texas Tech vs Oklahoma would be a matchup for former player and former coach with Sooner pitcher Sam Landry previously playing with Galsco at Louisiana. As soon as Landry got the offer from OU, he pushed her to go saying it was a great opportunity for her that she would regret passing up. Landry and the Glasco family still have a very strong relationship. Landry was wearing #12 in honor his late daughter but at OU the number was not available, so she had her name on her glove instead. Landry was lights out and Canady was yet again. Texas Tech took a 2-0 lead and the Sooners were on the ropes. But Sooner magic was not dead yet. On their last out in the top of the seventh, Abby Dayton sent everybody into a frenzy with a two run shot to tie the game at two each. So we played on. Texas Tech in the bottom of the seventh with a runner on base got the game winning hit for 3-2 victory. Lauren Allred was the hero who brought the winning run home.
The Finals
This tournament featured five walk offs, seven one run games, one of the longest games in WCW history, and would be capped with a program getting their first title in the sport. Oregon vs Ole Miss went three hours and 56 minutes with 10 innings, the longest since 2021. The ace pitchers got the call again and delivered. It was an unexpected play that got Texas late momentum. Canady was attempting to intentionally walk Texas catcher Reese Atwood but the balls were close to the strike zone. After conferring with her coach in a timeout, Atwood decided to take a chance. She swung on the 3-0 pitch and made contact catching the Red Raiders napping. The ball got into the outfield and got the Longhorns on the board. Kavan would go the distance with another complete game and Texas would take the first of the best of three series with a final score of 2-1.
Texas Tech came back the next night on a mission and took advantage of multiple Texas defensive mistakes. In an effort to rest Kavan, Mac Morgan got the start again and this time around the adversary was ready. Texas attempted to lean on the bullpen arms but brought Kavan in late. The offense had a late surge, but Canady slammed the door shut. Texas Tech forced a deciding game three with a 4-3 win.
In game three, we saw something else we had yet to see. Canady, the best player in the sport, finally looked human. She didn’t have it, and Mia Scott showed that with a early grand slam to break it open and Leighann Good’s three run shot helped the cause as well. For the first time in almost 500 pitches, the Red Raiders decided it was time to make a change. Canady always wants the ball, but this time she got overruled. Texas Tech avoided the run rule, in this case 10 runs and were able to trim the deficit. But in the end, it wasn’t enough. A 10-4 Texas victory at long last secured the first softball national title in school history with Kavan the most outstanding player for pitching 31 innings and change without an earned run. Number one overall pick in the pros in the next two years, calling it now. Book it.
Final Thoughts
There are two professional leagues now with one underway right in the last few days, and this was not the case a few years ago. Athletes Unlimited begun with some stars from this last season already making their mark and some players from the last couple of years. Women’s Professional Fastpitch is another option and they play in home markets. Regardless, these talented players are not always going to be done now when the college season and careers end. There are options, and more and more younger former players are making the jump into coaching.
OKC will host the softball in the 2028 Olympics and Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso is leading team USA. It returned in 2020 and the US got the silver medal but easily could have won if more talented young players were on the team. Softball was then taken out for the Paris games. It is unclear if softball will continue to be in and out of the rotation, or if they will find a way to keep it in.
The energy from the WCWS cannot be simulated. The play is elite, the crowd is always engaged, it’s the pinnacle of the sport. The regular season and some of the pro games just don’t have the same juice that you see and feel in OKC. While more progress needs to be made these are all steps in the right direction. Athletes Unlimited is starting with four teams and will expand to six next year, while the other league is sticking with a handful of teams in popular markets. I can’t think of a better way to kick off the summer. Softball is better than baseball, change my mind.