WCWS underway inside Devon Park
Oklahoma City, OK - The Oklahoma Sooners not only look to defend their national championship, but earn an unprecedented fifth straight crown beginning Thursday inside Devon Park at the Women's College World Series.
The Sooners are the second game out of the gate squaring off with Tennessee at 1:30 p.m. The Sooners lost their regular season series to the Vols. Tennessee is led by 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year Karlyn Pickens. The pitcher touches nearly 80 mph from the circle.
Texas and Florida open up the festivities in the opening tilt. The Horns finished third in the SEC this season while the Gators finished fifth. Florida is led by former OU assistant Tim Walton. The winner of OU-Tennessee faces the winner of Texas-Florida on Saturday.
On the other side of the bracket, Texas Tech battles Ole Miss at 7 p.m. The Red Raiders have surged after landing coveted shut down pitcher NiJaree Canaday from Stanford in the transfer portal. She helped lead them to the Big 12 tournament title and their first trip ever to the WCWS.
Oregon and UCLA square off in the nightcap at 9:30 p.m. The Ducks took two of three from the Bruins in the regular season.
The four losing teams on Thursday will play on Friday as they look to avoid elimination.