College World Series: Tennessee-Alabama softball pregame social media buzz

2023 College World Series: A look at Tennessee-Alabama softball pregame social media buzz

The 2023 Women’s College World Series is taking place June 1-9 at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium – OGE Energy Field in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

No. 4 seed Tennessee advanced to its eighth Women’s College World Series appearance in program history (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2023).

The Lady Vols will play No. 5 seed Alabama (45-20) on Thursday to open play in the 2023 Women’s College World Series.

First pitch between Tennessee and Alabama is slated for noon EDT and will be televised by ESPN.

The Lady are 3-1 versus Alabama during the 2023 season.

Ahead of Thursday’s contest between Tennessee and the Crimson Tide, Vols Wire looks at pregame social media buzz and is listed below.

College World Series: How to watch Tennessee-Alabama softball

College World Series: How to watch the Tennessee-Alabama softball game on Thursday

The 2023 Women’s College World Series is taking place June 1-9 at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium – OGE Energy Field in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

No. 4 seed Tennessee advanced to its eighth Women’s College World Series appearance in program history (2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2023).

PHOTOS: A look at Monica Abbott’s first pitch at Lady Vols’ softball game

The Lady Vols will play No. 5 seed Alabama on Thursday to open play in the 2023 Women’s College World Series.

Tennessee defeated Texas in NCAA Tournament Super Regional play, while the Crimson Tide were victorious versus Northwestern.

Below is information for the Tennessee-Alabama contest on Thursday at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium – OGE Energy Field.

How to watch Alabama softball vs. Tennessee on Thursday in the WCWS

How to watch Alabama softball take on Tennessee on Thursday to open the 2023 Women’s College World Series in OKC!

On Thursday, the 2023 Women’s College World Series will get underway in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Patrick Murphy and the Alabama softball help get things started when they take on their SEC rival the Tennessee Lady Vols.

After missing out on OKC last season, coach Murphy and the Tide return to the WCWS for the 14th time in program history.

Alabama punched its ticket to OKC after defeating Northwestern in the Tuscaloosa Super Regional in an exciting three-game series.

Here is how you can catch the action between Alabama and Tennessee on Thursday as the SEC flexes its muscles early on in the WCWS!

Grace Lyons wins Gold Glove Award and 5 Sooners named NFCA All-Americans

Grace Lyons wins Gold Glove Award and five Sooners named NFCA first-team All-Americans.

The Oklahoma Sooners dominated the national awards in softball with five Sooners named NFCA first-team All-Americans. Additionally, Grace Lyons won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award as the best defensive player in Division I.

Grace Lyons is a five-year starter at shortstop for the Sooners and has been great in the infield throughout her career. She has started 256 games for the Sooners, all at shortstop, and holds a single-season career-best .975 fielding percentage in 2023. Lyons has helped turn 11 double plays and has committed just three errors during her fifth and final season with Oklahoma.

Lyons collects OU’s first Rawling Gold Glove Award in program history. The award was introduced to collegiate softball in 2022.

[autotag]Jordy Bahl[/autotag], [autotag]Alyssa Brito[/autotag], [autotag]Jayda Coleman[/autotag], [autotag]Kinzie Hansen[/autotag], and [autotag]Tiare Jennings[/autotag] were named NFCA first-team All-Americans. Brito was one of six unanimous selections to the first-team.

It’s the second year in a row that Oklahoma’s had five first-team All-Americans and the 10th season out of the last 11 where they’ve had three first-team All-Americans.

The Sooners (56-1) open their seventh straight Women’s College World Series Thursday at 1:30 p.m. CT versus No. 9-seed Stanford (45-13). They look to keep their record-breaking 48-game winning streak intact. 

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=683578888]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jake on Twitter @jake_faigus

WATCH: Montana Fouts describes the moment she secured Alabama’s place in the WCWS

Montana Fouts wanted to ‘leave it all on the line’ as she helped Alabama softball secure a spot in the WCWS!

On Thursday morning the Alabama softball team will compete in the 2023 Women’s College World Series from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma as they take on SEC rival Tennessee.

Before Thursday’s matchup, star Crimson Tide pitcher Montana Fouts spoke to members of the media out in OKC.

Among the questions hurled at the sensational senior was if she could describe the moment in Sunday’s game three against Northwestern when she secured Alabama’s place in the WCWS with a strikeout.

Fighting a knee injury, Fouts displayed incredible courage and grit to help propel the Tide. Fouts explained that she wanted to “leave it all on the line, including her heart”.

Watch as Montana best describes the remarkable moment!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

Ashley Rogers wins Elite 90 award

Lady Vols’ pitcher Ashley Rogers wins Elite 90 award.

Lady Vols’ pitcher Ashley Rogers won the Elite 90 award for the 2023 NCAA Division I Softball Championship.

Rogers recently graduated with a master’s degree in kinesiology and finished with a 4.0 GPA. She received the award during a College World Series banquet Tuesday in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Elite 90 is an award founded by the NCAA, recognizing a true essence of the student-athlete by honoring an individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic achievement among his or her piers.

Elite 90 is presented to a student-athlete with the highest grade point average at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s championships.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Day 1 of the Women’s College World Series: Matchups and How to Watch

Game times and how to watch day one of the Women’s College World Series.

The Oklahoma Sooners take their next step toward winning their third straight national championship on Thursday when the Women’s College World Series begins day one.

There are several intriguing matchups to watch on Thursday and while the Sooners are the favorites, they’ll face challenges on their side of the bracket from every team.

Led by Ashley Jones, Tennessee is No. 2 in the nation in team ERA, and Stanford’s [autotag]NiJaree Canady[/autotag] leads the nation in ERA. The Volunteers are also No. 2 in the nation in scoring offense. Alabama isn’t a team to sleep on either, with [autotag]Montana Fouts[/autotag] leading the way for the Crimson Tide.

The other side of the bracket doesn’t have to face UCLA, but Florida State and Oklahoma State are playing good ball. Washington and Utah have been battle-tested through the Pac-12.

Thursday’s matchups are just the beginning of the double-elimination bracket. The first-round elimination games will take place on Friday.

Here’s a look at Thursday’s matchups and how to watch.

No 4. Tennessee vs. No. 5 Alabama: 11:00 am CDT on ESPN

No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 9 Stanford: 1:30 pm CDT on ESPN

No. 3 Florida State vs. No. 6 Oklahoma State: 6:00 pm CDT on ESPN

No. 7 Washington vs. No. 15 Utah: 8:30 pm CDT on ESPN

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=683578888]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Auburn Softball Year in Review: Denver Bryant

Bryant took on a new role for the Tigers in 2023, and played the part well.

Auburn’s season came to an end at the hands of the Clemson Tigers in the final game of the Clemson Regional last week.

The Tigers played in their third-straight regional and won 43 games for the first time under [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag]’s leadership.

Up next in our Year in Review series is junior third baseman [autotag]Denver Bryant[/autotag]. Bryant had a bigger role for the Tigers this season and had a solid junior campaign at the plate.

YEAR IN REVIEW: 

Here is a look back at Denver Bryant’s junior season:

LOOK: Alabama softball team greets fans before flying to OKC for WCWS

Alabama softball fans got to see the team before they travel to OKC for the Women’s College world Series.

Alabama softball got through the Tuscaloosa regional in Game 7 and took down Northwestern in Game 3 in the Super Regionals. Now, the Crimson Tide is off to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series.

Patrick Murphy’s team will first take on Tennessee, which will be a difficult task.

While the goal is to win it all, it’s clear the team is currently focused on taking down the Lady Vols.

Before taking off, the team was greeted by Alabama softball fans at the airport, where they signed autographs and took pictures. The support for Alabama softball is unmatched anywhere in the nation.

Auburn Softball Year in Review: Makayla Packer

Packer had another good year for the Tigers at the plate and in centerfield.

Auburn’s season came to a close six days ago when the Clemson Tigers beat them 5-1 in the regional finals.

The Tigers made it to the NCAA Regionals for the third straight season and their 43 wins were the most they have managed since [autotag]Mickey Dean[/autotag] took over and they finished third in the SEC.

Up next in our Year in Review series is junior centerfielder [autotag]Makayla Packer[/autotag]. Packer took a slight step back from a sensational sophomore campaign but had another strong season for the Tigers at the plate.

YEAR IN REVIEW: Maia Engelkes Aspyn Godwin Carlee McCondichie Lindsey Garcia Bri Ellis Maddie Penta Nellie Peralta

Here is a look at Makayla Packer’s junior season.