Who's in WCWS finals? Latest bracket updates on NCAA Softball Tournament
Kevin SkiverJune 1 marks the final day of the bracket portion of the Women's College World Series, with Texas and Tennessee having faced off before Alabama and Texas Tech play the nightcap from Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
The Lady Vols entered the semifinals atop the bracket, having defeated Texas to send the defending champions to the loser's bracket to open the tournament. Tennessee, however, dropped two games to Texas to bow out of the tournament and send Texas to the Women's College World Series beginning June 3.
After Texas was able to outlast Tennessee 5-2 in the opening game of the day behind a standout pitching performance from Citlaly Gutierrez, ace Teagan Kavan was able to come in and slam the door on Tennessee's WCWS hopes. Karlyn Pickens, despite pitching well overall, lost her best stuff from time to time in the sweltering Oklahoma City heat, and Texas was able to hold the Lady Vols offense in check after a three-run third inning proved to be the difference.
Texas will now look ahead to the evening matchup at Devon Park, as Alabama takes on Texas Tech. The Red Raiders won an extra-innings thriller against UCLA on May 31, and now need two wins over the Crimson Tide, who have been dominant all tournament.
Indeed, Alabama is 7-0 in the NCAA Softball Tournament so far, and the most runs its pitching staff has allowed in a game is three, to the Bruins. The Crimson Tide will look to hold serve against Texas Tech and make their first Women's College World Series final since 2014 when they lost to Florida.
Here's what to know about the Women's College World Series final, including who is in and how we got to this point.
Who is in Women's College World Series final?
After losing its first game to Tennessee, Texas weathered the loser's bracket to make it to its fourth Women's College World Series final in the past four years.
It will play the winner of Alabama vs Texas Tech, where Texas Tech will need to win two straight games against the Crimson Tide to advance.
- No. 2 Texas vs No. 1 Alabama OR No. 11 Texas Tech
WCWS softball bracket, schedule, scores
All times Eastern.
Thursday, May 28
- (11) Texas Tech 8, Mississippi State 0, 5 innings (RECAP)
- (7) Tennessee 6, (2) Texas 3 (RECAP)
- (1) Alabama 6, (8) UCLA 3 (RECAP)
- (4) Nebraska 5, (5) Arkansas 3 (10 innings) (RECAP)
Friday, May 29 (elimination games)
- (2) Texas 4, Mississippi State 0 (Bulldogs eliminated) (RECAP)
- (8) UCLA 11, (5) Arkansas 0 (5 innings) (Razorbacks eliminated) (RECAP)
Saturday, May 30 (double-elimination games)
Sunday, May 31 (elimination games)
- (2) Texas 3, (4) Nebraska 1 (Nebraska eliminated) (RECAP)
- (11) Texas Tech 8, (8) UCLA 7 (9 innings) (RECAP)
Monday, June 1 (WCWS semifinals)
- (2) Texas 5, (7) Tennessee 2
- (2) Texas 4, (7) Tennessee 0 (Tennessee eliminated) (RECAP)
- (1) Alabama vs. (11) Texas Tech | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
- (1) Alabama vs. (11) Texas Tech (if necessary) | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
When is the Women's College World Series final?
Here's a look at the dates for the Women's College World Series championship.