ESPN.com has an amazing preview of the 2024 Women's College World Series (link). The article contains in-depth analyses of all eight teams, plus every kind of statistical graphic you can imagine. One set of statistics stood out to me: Oklahoma's offensive output this year is almost identical to what it was last year, but the Sooners' pitching has come down a notch since last year. For example, OU has allowed 1.8 runs per game this season compared to 1.0 a year ago, and has struck out 23.4% of opposing batters this year as opposed to 31.3% last year.
Washington used a first-inning grand-slam homer from pitcher Danielle Lawrie and some late insurance runs to defeat Georgia by a score of 9-3 in tonight's late game. The win gives U-Dub a spot in the best-of-three championship series against Florida starting Monday (Georgia had defeated Washington earlier today, 9-8 in nine innings, to force tonight's rematch). The Huskies thus claimed "top dog" status over Georgia on their side of the bracket. Florida got a two-out grand-slam homer from Ali Gardiner in the bottom of the seventh to edge Alabama 6-5. The Crimson Tide made a strong recovery in the tournament after looking "not ready for prime time" in an opening-round loss to Michigan. But, as a result of tonight's heartbreaking loss to the Gators, Bama is now eliminated. Lowrie's and Gardiner's grand-slams are among four that have been hit so far in this World Series.