- Analysts: Olympic Gold Medalists Jessica Mendoza and Michele Smith Return; Two-Time All-American Amanda Scarborough Debuts
- Top 8 National Seeds Advance to Oklahoma City for First Time Since 2006
- Defending National Champion and No. 1 Seed Florida Gators Lead the Field
For the 15th consecutive year, ESPN will televise the Women’s College World Series from OGE Energy Field at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla., beginning Thursday, May 28, and concluding Tuesday, June 2 or Wednesday, June 3. College Softball’s pinnacle event will feature the top 8 national seeds – No. 1 Florida, No. 2 Oregon, No. 3 Michigan, No. 4 Auburn, No. 5 LSU, No. 6 Alabama, No. 7 UCLA, and No. 8 Tennessee – for the first time since 2006. The eight teams will play in a double-elimination tournament (May 28-31) in which two teams will advance to a best-of-three Women’s College World Series Championship Series (June 1-3). The Women’s College World Series is the conclusion of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship.
The Women’s College World Series begins with No. 8 Tennessee vs. No. 1 Florida (noon ET) and No. 5 LSU vs. No. 4 Auburn (2:30 p.m.) Thursday, May 28, on ESPN. That same evening, No. 6 Alabama will take on No. 3 Michigan (7 p.m.) followed by No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 2 Oregon (9:30 p.m.) on ESPN2. Play continues on Friday, May 29 (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.) on ESPN2 and Saturday, May 30, (noon, 2:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.) on ESPN. Sunday, May 31, will feature a minimum of two games (1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.) on ESPN and two if necessary games (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.) which will be televised on ESPNU if played.
The Women’s College World Series Championship Series Game 1 will be Monday June 1, at 8 p.m. on ESPN2 and Game 2 will be Tuesday, June 2, at 8 p.m. on ESPN. A decisive Game 3 will Wednesday, June 3, at 8 p.m. on ESPN (if necessary).
A Women’s College World Series bracket can be found here.
- Commentators: ESPN will utilize two commentating teams:
- Adam Amin (play-by-play), Amanda Scarborough (analyst) and Laura Rutledge (reporter) will call the afternoon games – each of the three will be making their ESPN Women’s College World Series debut.
- Women’s College World Series veterans Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Jessica Mendoza (analyst), Michele Smith (analyst) and Holly Rowe (reporter) will call the evening games and the Women’s College World Series Championship Series.
- Every Angle Covered: ESPN will surround OGE Energy Field at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium with 16 cameras, including two slow-motions systems.
- Umpire Perspective: The home plate umpire will be mic’d up for each game throughout the Women’s College World Series.
- ESPNU’s Women’s College World Series Pregame and Postgame: ESPNU will televise a 30-minute preview and postgame show before and after Game 2 of the Women’s College World Series Championship Series on Tuesday, June 2, at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., respectively. If a Game 3 is necessary, ESPNU will televise another 30-minute preview and postgame show on Wednesday, June 3, at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
- espnW: Online coverage continues, led by espnw’s softball index. Additional elements from Oklahoma City include:
- Voice of the Fan: The most dedicated fans of college softball are sought out and their stories told
- Mowins, Mendoza and Smith Through the Years: In their time covering the Women’s College World Series, Mowins, Mendoza and Smith have seen some of the most dramatic moments in the sport’s history. The trio will share their greatest moments and memories from year’s past
- Finch Visits the Hall: Former softball Olympian Jennie Finch visits the National Softball Hall of Fame and Museum in Oklahoma City and shares her favorite softball memories.
- Comprehensive Recaps:Graham Hays will provide daily recaps in a “five things you should know” format.
- Tourney Snapshots:Behind-the-scenes video and photos from teams and student athletes participating in the Women’s College World Series. Fans can submit their photos by tagging them #WCWS.
- ESPN Sports Science: The Movement of Softball Pitches is analyzed.
- Social Media: @ESPNU, @espnW, and @NCAASoftball will provide news, game updates, photos and videos throughout the Women’s College World Series. Fans can join the conversation by tagging their tweet #WCWS.
ESPN Analysts: Former All-Americans, Olympians, and participants the Women’s College World Series will serve as game analysts
- Jessica Mendoza
- College: Stanford
- Honors: Four-time All-American (1999, 2000, ’01, ’02), member of gold medal-winning team at the 2004 Athens Olympics and silver medal winning team at 2008 Beijing Olympics
- Amanda Scarborough
- College:Texas A&M
- Honors: Two-time All-American (2005, ’07). Only player in Big 12 history to receive Freshman of the Year and Player of Year in same season (2005), played in two WCWS (2007, ’08)
- Michele Smith
- College: Oklahoma State
- Honors: Two time All-American, two time Olympic Gold Medalist (1996, ’00) and eight time Japan Pro League MVP
Women’s College World Series Television Schedule
Double-Elimination Tournament (May 28-31)
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Thur, May 28 | Noon | Women’s College World Series: No. 8 Tennessee vs. No. 1 Florida | ESPN |
| 2:30 p.m. | Women’s College World Series: No. 5 LSU vs. No. 4 Auburn | ESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | Women’s College World Series: No. 6 Alabama vs. No. 3 Michigan | ESPN2 | |
| 9:30 p.m. | Women’s College World Series: No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 2 Oregon | ESPN2 | |
| Fri, May 29 | 7 p.m. | Women’s College World Series: Game 5 | ESPN2 |
| 9:30 p.m. | Women’s College World Series: Game 6 | ESPN2 | |
| Sat, May 30 | Noon | Women’s College World Series: Game 7 | ESPN |
| 2:30 p.m. | Women’s College World Series: Game 8 | ESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | Women’s College World Series: Game 9 | ESPN | |
| 9:30 p.m. | Women’s College World Series: Game 10 | ESPN | |
| Sun, May 31 | 1 p.m. | Women’s College World Series: Game 11 | ESPN |
| 3:30 p.m. | Women’s College World Series: Game 12 | ESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | Women’s College World Series: Game 13* | ESPNU | |
| 9:30 p.m. | Women’s College World Series: Game 14* | ESPNU |
Women’s College World Series Championship Series
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Mon, June 1 | 8 p.m. | Women’s College World Series Championship Series: Game No. 1 | ESPN2 |
| Tues, June 2 | 8 p.m. | Women’s College World Series Championship Series: Game No. 2 | ESPN |
| Wed, June 3 | 8 p.m. | Women’s College World Series Championship Series: Game No. 3* | ESPN |
*If necessary
Networks are subject to change
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Media contact: Derek Volner at 860-384-9986; Derek.Volner@ESPN.com and @DerekVolner
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