Experts pick every WCWS game and NCAA softball champion
The Women’s College World Series returns to Oklahoma City and Devon Park on Thursday. Eight teams will compete in a double-elimination tournament to determine the two finalists, who will then face off in a best-of-three series to crown the NCAA champion.
The second-seeded Oklahoma Sooners are aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive NCAA softball title.
Experts from the USA TODAY Sports Network have shared their predictions for the bracket and the eventual winner. Here are their picks:
Ryan Aber, The Oklahoman
– Game 1: UCLA 4, Alabama 3
– Game 2: Oklahoma 6, Duke 2
– Game 3: Stanford 2, Texas 1
– Game 4: Oklahoma State 6, Florida 4
– Game 5: Alabama 8, Duke 3
– Game 6: Texas 8, Florida 5
– Game 7: Oklahoma 4, UCLA 3
– Game 8: Oklahoma State 7, Stanford 3
– Game 9: Stanford 6, Alabama 5
– Game 10: Texas 5, UCLA 2
– Game 11: Oklahoma 8, Stanford 2
– Game 13: Texas 4, Oklahoma State 3
– Game 14: Oklahoma State 6, Texas 4
Championship Series
– Game 1: Oklahoma 8, Oklahoma State 3
– Game 2: Oklahoma State 3, Oklahoma 2
– Game 3: Oklahoma 5, Oklahoma State 1
Why Oklahoma will win: The Sooners are unfazed by the atmosphere at Devon Park. With a versatile offense, the best fielding team in the tournament, and a strong front-line pitcher in Kelly Maxwell supported by depth, OU is in prime position to win.
Thomas Jones, Austin American-Statesman
– Game 1: Alabama 5, UCLA 3
– Game 2: Oklahoma 7, Duke 2
– Game 3: Texas 4, Stanford 3
– Game 4: Oklahoma State 2, Florida 1
– Game 5: Duke 5, UCLA 2
– Game 6: Stanford 3, Florida 1
– Game 7: Oklahoma 8, Alabama 5
– Game 8: Oklahoma State 5, Texas 4
– Game 9: Texas 9, Duke 4
– Game 10: Stanford 4, Alabama 2
– Game 11: Texas 6, Oklahoma 5
– Game 12: Texas 7, Oklahoma 6
– Game 13: Oklahoma State 2, Stanford 1
Championship Series
– Game 1: Texas 4, Oklahoma State 3
– Game 2: Oklahoma State 3, Texas 2
– Game 3: Texas 5, Oklahoma State 2
Why Texas will win: Boasting arguably the best lineup in the nation, Texas gets clutch hits when needed. Freshman Teagan Kavan shines as a rising star pitcher, delivering key outs in critical moments.
Noah Ram, The Gainesville Sun
– Game 1: UCLA 6, Alabama 4
– Game 2: Oklahoma 6, Duke 3
– Game 3: Texas 8, Stanford 6
– Game 4: Florida 3, Oklahoma State 2
– Game 5: Alabama 4, Duke 3
– Game 6: Oklahoma State 5, Stanford 1
– Game 7: UCLA 7, Oklahoma 6
– Game 8: Texas 4, Florida 2
– Game 9: Florida 5, Alabama 2
– Game 10: Oklahoma 2, Oklahoma State 1
– Game 11: Florida 4, UCLA 1
– Game 12: Florida 3, UCLA 2
– Game 13: Oklahoma 6, Texas 2
– Game 14: Oklahoma 4, Texas 3
Championship Series
– Game 1: Florida 5, Oklahoma 3
– Game 2: Oklahoma 8, Florida 3
– Game 3: Florida 1, Oklahoma 0
Scott Wright, The Oklahoman
– Game 1: Alabama 3, UCLA 2
– Game 2: Oklahoma 7, Duke 2
– Game 3: Stanford 1, Texas 0
– Game 4: Oklahoma State 3, Florida 1
– Game 5: UCLA 4, Duke 2
– Game 6: Florida 6, Texas 4
– Game 7: Oklahoma 9, Alabama 5
– Game 8: Oklahoma State 2, Stanford 0
– Game 9: UCLA 4, Stanford 3
– Game 10: Alabama 5, Florida 4
– Game 11: Oklahoma 7, UCLA 3
– Game 13: Oklahoma State 4, Florida 2
Championship Series
– Game 1: Oklahoma State 6, Oklahoma 3
– Game 2: Oklahoma 8, Oklahoma State 5
– Game 3: Oklahoma State 4, Oklahoma 3
Why Oklahoma State will win: The Cowgirls have the nation’s most dominant pitcher in Lexi Kilfoyl, who has consistently overpowered opponents this postseason. Their recent success against the Sooners gives them the confidence to dethrone college softball’s giants.
