The GIST: The Women’s College World Series (WCWS) championship matchup is now set. No. 1 Texas will go up against three-time defending champions No. 2 Oklahoma in the upcoming best-of-three series. This showdown between the two powerhouse teams, known for their Red River Rivalry, is fitting for a tournament that has broken records so far.
These Big 12 rivals have each won two games against each other this season, making Game 1 tonight at 8 p.m. ET anyone’s game. Game 2, taking place tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET, could potentially decide the outcome of the series.
The Longhorns: Texas claimed the top spot in the rankings in early April and, except for a stumble in the Big 12 conference championship against OU, has remained strong. During the WCWS, the Longhorns overcame their Super Regional struggles, remaining undefeated and securing three shutouts in their three games leading up to the championship series.
Guided by freshman Teagan Kavan, who pitched a complete game one-hitter in Monday’s 1–0 semifinal victory over No. 8 Stanford, Texas has shown resilience. Kavan, who has also pitched a previous one-hitter in the WCWS, struck out seven batters in the process. The Longhorns may have had a low-scoring game on Monday, but they have the ability to unleash their powerful offense when needed, led by the nation’s best batting average and Reese Atwood, a finalist for the USA Softball Player of the Year award.
The Sooners: Oklahoma, a constant presence in the WCWS title series, will be aiming for a historic fourth consecutive title. The Sooners secured a dramatic walk-off victory against No. 4 Florida in yesterday’s semifinal, thanks to senior Jayda Coleman’s impressive power hitting.
With dangerous hitters like Coleman and Tiare Jennings in the lineup, the Sooners pose a significant threat. These two players, along with their experience in the WCWS, have the potential to win a championship every year of their college careers. In the pitching circle, ace Kelly Maxwell will look to bounce back from a tough start and silence the potent Longhorn offense. Get ready for what could be an instant classic!
