The Nightcap
Arizona has just put across a run in the bottom of the fourth against Baylor, for the game's only score thus far. Each team has at least one hit, so we won't have another no-hitter today.
Update 1: Baylor has tied it in the top of the fifth, with a runner who was on second advancing one base each time on back-to-back Arizona passed balls (Wildcat pitcher Taryne Mowatt has indeed been wild, even though the miscues have been charged to the catcher). On the second passed ball, it looked like the Bear batter might actually have tipped the ball foul, but replays seemed to suggest (to me at least) that the bat never contacted the ball. A great catch by U of A shortstop Kristie Fox prevented Baylor from taking the lead.
Update 2: We've had a lot of noteworthy developments today and now we're getting another one: Extra innings.
Update 3: Kristie Fox, who earlier made a big defensive play, ends the game in the bottom of the ninth with a home run. Final score: Arizona 2, Baylor 1.
Early Evening
It's 0-0 through three complete, between Tennessee and Texas A&M. Monica Abbott, of course, is pitching for the Vols, whereas Amanda Scarborough is for the Aggies. Each team has threatened, with A&M loading the bases with one out in the first and Tennessee having runners on second and third with no outs in the third...
Update 1: As we head to the seventh inning, it's one of those good news/bad news situations for Abbott. She's thrown six no-hit innings, but her Tennessee team hasn't scored for her. Still 0-0...
Update 2: The Vols' India Chiles, playing with a torn ACL, has gotten a key hit to drive in the game's first run. Tennessee's still batting...
Update 3: It's now 2-0 Tennessee, based on four straight hits.
Update 4: Monica Abbott finishes off Texas A&M without a hit, for a 2-0 Volunteers' win. In today's three games played so far, we've now had a pair of no-hitters and a one-hitter!
Late Afternoon
Another potential no-hitter is brewing... Northwestern leads Arizona State 1-0 after five complete, and the Wildcats' Eileen Canney has not allowed the Sun Devils a hit. ASU slugger Kaitlin Cochran has walked in her two at-bats, thus far...
Update 1: So much for another no-hitter. The Sun Devils' Michelle Smith has led off the top of the sixth with a bunt single. Cochran is up with one out...
Update 2: Cochran walks, yet again...
Update 3: Nothing comes of ASU rally. Still 1-0 Northwestern.
Update 4: Northwestern wins, 2-0. There will now be a break until 6:00 Central, when the evening session starts.
Mid-Afternoon
What a way to start things off! Washington's Danielle Lawrie has pitched a no-hitter in the Huskies' 3-1 win over DePaul. The Blue Demon offense, which ran roughshod over Oklahoma in the super-regionals, has been silenced, for now at least.
Finally, we have an article on Lawrie's no-hitter.
Noon Central
Play begins today in the NCAA Women's College World Series! The official NCAA softball scoreboard page for today can be accessed here.
As I write this, DePaul and Washington are scoreless in the second inning of the opening game.
Also, the NCAA has its own onsite blogger in Oklahoma City, for those interested in behind-the-scenes coverage of the event (link).
Arizona has just put across a run in the bottom of the fourth against Baylor, for the game's only score thus far. Each team has at least one hit, so we won't have another no-hitter today.
Update 1: Baylor has tied it in the top of the fifth, with a runner who was on second advancing one base each time on back-to-back Arizona passed balls (Wildcat pitcher Taryne Mowatt has indeed been wild, even though the miscues have been charged to the catcher). On the second passed ball, it looked like the Bear batter might actually have tipped the ball foul, but replays seemed to suggest (to me at least) that the bat never contacted the ball. A great catch by U of A shortstop Kristie Fox prevented Baylor from taking the lead.
Update 2: We've had a lot of noteworthy developments today and now we're getting another one: Extra innings.
Update 3: Kristie Fox, who earlier made a big defensive play, ends the game in the bottom of the ninth with a home run. Final score: Arizona 2, Baylor 1.
Early Evening
It's 0-0 through three complete, between Tennessee and Texas A&M. Monica Abbott, of course, is pitching for the Vols, whereas Amanda Scarborough is for the Aggies. Each team has threatened, with A&M loading the bases with one out in the first and Tennessee having runners on second and third with no outs in the third...
Update 1: As we head to the seventh inning, it's one of those good news/bad news situations for Abbott. She's thrown six no-hit innings, but her Tennessee team hasn't scored for her. Still 0-0...
Update 2: The Vols' India Chiles, playing with a torn ACL, has gotten a key hit to drive in the game's first run. Tennessee's still batting...
Update 3: It's now 2-0 Tennessee, based on four straight hits.
Update 4: Monica Abbott finishes off Texas A&M without a hit, for a 2-0 Volunteers' win. In today's three games played so far, we've now had a pair of no-hitters and a one-hitter!
Late Afternoon
Another potential no-hitter is brewing... Northwestern leads Arizona State 1-0 after five complete, and the Wildcats' Eileen Canney has not allowed the Sun Devils a hit. ASU slugger Kaitlin Cochran has walked in her two at-bats, thus far...
Update 1: So much for another no-hitter. The Sun Devils' Michelle Smith has led off the top of the sixth with a bunt single. Cochran is up with one out...
Update 2: Cochran walks, yet again...
Update 3: Nothing comes of ASU rally. Still 1-0 Northwestern.
Update 4: Northwestern wins, 2-0. There will now be a break until 6:00 Central, when the evening session starts.
Mid-Afternoon
What a way to start things off! Washington's Danielle Lawrie has pitched a no-hitter in the Huskies' 3-1 win over DePaul. The Blue Demon offense, which ran roughshod over Oklahoma in the super-regionals, has been silenced, for now at least.
Finally, we have an article on Lawrie's no-hitter.
Noon Central
Play begins today in the NCAA Women's College World Series! The official NCAA softball scoreboard page for today can be accessed here.
As I write this, DePaul and Washington are scoreless in the second inning of the opening game.
Also, the NCAA has its own onsite blogger in Oklahoma City, for those interested in behind-the-scenes coverage of the event (link).