Strong start for UT

New York Times

2 days ago

Follow our coverage of the WCWS from Oklahoma City as the five remaining teams chase the softball national title Imagn Images
So far, the Vols are all over Oklahoma's Sam Landry. Landry primarily works on the sides of the plate, and Tennessee is working with what she's giving it. That sacrifice fly by Vols catcher Sophia Nugent against her former team in the Sooners not only gives her team a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but it continues what's emerging as an early trend in this game: go with where it's pitched.
Both Gabby Leach and Pannell drove outside pitches the other way, and facing Nebraska's Jordy Bahl last week was great preparation for seeing Oklahoma's Sam Landry. Imagn Images
That was an absolute shot of a line drive by Vols third baseman Taylor Pannell. Sooners center fielder Abigaile Dayton didn't take a great angle on that ball, going straight across instead of a slanted angle, and a passed ball gets the Vols on the board. Karlyn Pickens is a totally different pitcher for Tennessee when she has the lead.
T1 - Tennessee 1, Oklahoma 0
A single, a double and a passed ball, and the Vols have the lead. Just what they needed against the powerhouse Sooners.
A rematch of the 2013 final ... when these players were in elementary school. Wonder if any of them were softball junkies watching the WCWS that year
Tennessee vs. Oklahoma in Game 2.
There are good storylines all over the place in this one. Imagn Images
Even though Game 1 of the day is already over, I will say Texas was my pick to win that one (promise!). I knew Teagan Kavan would come through after what was kind of a shockingly close Super Regional against Clemson. As for the rest of the matchups today: Tennessee vs. Oklahoma: While most of me REALLY wants Tennessee to shut the Sooners down so we can have some parity here (and so the Sooners can face some challenges), I think we're going to have a relatively close one here. In the Super Regionals, Karlyn Pickens dominated in Game 3 against Nebraska, but Game 1 was a little iffy. I think it'll be somewhat similar here, so I think the Sooners will take this first matchup. But I wouldn't be surprised if the Vols come back with a vengeance after it. Honestly, they're my pick to win it all, but I think they'll drop this first one.
While most of me REALLY wants Tennessee to shut the Sooners down so we can have some parity here (and so the Sooners can face some challenges), I think we're going to have a relatively close one here. In the Super Regionals, Karlyn Pickens dominated in Game 3 against Nebraska, but Game 1 was a little iffy. I think it'll be somewhat similar here, so I think the Sooners will take this first matchup. But I wouldn't be surprised if the Vols come back with a vengeance after it. Honestly, they're my pick to win it all, but I think they'll drop this first one. Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech: This is definitely the more understated matchup of the day, but to be honest, it's just as good as any other, especially because this is the first opening-round matchup between teams making their first WCWS appearance since 2001, according to the broadcast. While the Rebels have an undeniable comeback ability, I think NiJaree Canady will shut Ole Miss down with her comfort on the big stage.
This is definitely the more understated matchup of the day, but to be honest, it's just as good as any other, especially because this is the first opening-round matchup between teams making their first WCWS appearance since 2001, according to the broadcast. While the Rebels have an undeniable comeback ability, I think NiJaree Canady will shut Ole Miss down with her comfort on the big stage. Oregon vs. UCLA: Well, well, well, look how we found ourselves: a matchup of former Pac-12 powerhouses. Now, though, both teams are in the Big Ten, which the Ducks won this season. While UCLA has been here countless times before, I think Oregon's hot streak will continue as of late. Its walk-off wins in the regionals and Super Regionals were thrilling and showed just how much fight they have, and then the Ducks' mercy-rule win over Liberty to get to OKC has them coming in on a hot streak. I'm gonna say Sko Ducks on this one.
Saturday's schedule of games (times are ET): Game 5: Texas vs. Oklahoma-Tennessee winner, 3 p.m.
Texas vs. Oklahoma-Tennessee winner, 3 p.m. Game 6: Texas Tech-Ole Miss winner vs. UCLA-Oregon winner, 7 p.m.
Friday's schedule of games (times are ET): Game 5: Florida vs. Oklahoma-Tennessee loser, 7 p.m.
Florida vs. Oklahoma-Tennessee loser, 7 p.m. Game 6: Texas Tech-Ole Miss loser vs. UCLA-Oregon loser, 9:30 p.m. Imagn Images
Up next is the game we've all been waiting for: Can Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens, who's throwing the equivalent of 108-110 mph in baseball, stifle Oklahoma?
Keep in mind, these are both SEC teams (weird), and they've met a few times earlier this season. Tennessee won the first game, 5-2, while the Sooners won the second, 4-1. In the series finale, Tennessee came out on top 5-3. Pickens pitched in both of the Lady Vols' wins, giving up 10 total hits and striking out 12. What's even more impressive is Tennessee won on the road.
But that was all the way back in March. Oklahoma has gotten a lot better since then, and it will be very hard to beat the Sooners again. Still, Pickens has arguably gotten better since March, too. This should be a good one. Imagn Images
What Molly said. I simply cannot wait to see Karlyn Pickens' defense versus Oklahoma's offense. Imagn Images
And there we have it, as the Longhorns advance to the winners' bracket after shutting down the Gators, 3-0. But as good as that game was, I think I'm even more excited for this next one on the slate: Oklahoma vs. Tennessee. I came into this NCAA Tournament thinking that Tennessee is one of the only squads that could potentially stifle Oklahoma's five-peat chances, especially with Karlyn Pickens in the circle for the Vols. I guess we'll see here soon.
I am one to love a high-scoring, offensive matchup, but Texas' defensive prowess today kept me locked in. The Longhorns beat the Gators 3-0, earning the day off on Friday and facing the winner of No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 7 Tennessee on Saturday.
Oklahoma-Tennessee starts at 2:30 p.m. ET. Imagn Images
Teagan Kavan and Joley Mitchell were the stars in Game 1 of the Women's College World Series as Texas beats Florida 3-0. Texas will play the winner of Oklahoma-Tennessee on Saturday. Florida will play the loser of that game on Friday.
Kavan went the distance in the circle for Texas, allowing just two hits with only two hits. Mitchell had two solo home runs.
How Oklahoma advanced to the WCWS:
Regional Defeated Boston 8-0
Defeated California 11-2
Defeated California 12-1
Super Regional Defeated Alabama 3-0
Defeated Alabama 13-2
The Longhorns' biggest problem against Clemson in the Supers was surrendering late-game leads. But Teagan Kavan has absolutely shut down a Gators offense that is quite literally full – from leadoff to No. 9 – of .300-plus hitters. What an absolute turnaround from this matchup in the first round last year, when Florida run-ruled Texas.
Tennessee was the No. 7 seed for the NCAA Tournament:
Coach: Karen Weekly
Record: 45-15, 15-9 in the SEC
Players to watch: Taylor Pannell, .391 average, 15 HR, 62 RBIs
Kinsey Fiedler, .345, 36 RBIs
Saviya Morgan, .338, 25 SB
McKenna Gibson, .309, 11 HR, 42 RBIs
Sophia Nugent, .308, 17 HR, 59 RBIs
Karlyn Pickens, 23-9, 1.03 ERA, 270 K
Sage Mardjetko, 12-2, 2.33 ERA Imagn Images
B7 - Texas 3, Florida 0
Last hope for the Gators. They have only two hits off Longhorns starting pitcher Teagan Kavan.
How Tennessee advanced to the WCWS:
Regional Defeated Miami, Ohio 17-0
Defeated Ohio State 4-2
Defeated Ohio State 5-0
Super Regional Lost to Nebraska 5-2
Defeated Nebraska 3-2
Defeated Nebraska 1-0