By Game 1 of the 2024 Women’s College World Series was a high-stakes battle, filled with home runs and exciting moments, as the top-seeded Texas Longhorns clashed with the No. 2 seed Oklahoma Sooners. With Texas now facing a must-win situation and Oklahoma just one game away from making history, the anticipation for Game 2 of the WCWS on Thursday is at its peak.
The Sooners demonstrated their resilience right from the start, getting on the board first with a two-run homerun. However, Texas quickly retaliated, refusing to let the game slip away easily. Despite Texas’ valiant efforts to stage a comeback, the Sooners held their ground, taking Game 1 with a score of 8-3 and inching closer to a fourth national championship.
Follow for the live coverage of the crucial Game 2 of the Women’s College World Series.
2024 WCWS: Highlights, results as Oklahoma offense powers Sooners past Texas in Game 1
Vivi Martinez reached base after hitting a shallow ball to center field, and Reese Atwood’s single to center field advanced her to third base. The Longhorns loaded the bases after Keeny walked Katie Steward, and Alyssa Washington’s base hit tied the game. The score is now Oklahoma 2-2 Texas.
Oklahoma does a pitching change and Paytn Monticelli is now on the mound.
Alyssa Britto hit a hard ball to the center-field wall, advancing to second base, then quickly made it to third after Kinzie Hansen’s base hit. Kasidi Pickering homered to left, putting Oklahoma on the scoreboard. The score is now Oklahoma 2-1 Texas.
The Texas Longhorns took the lead as Kayden Henry singled to right center, allowing Reese Atwood to score. Texas up 1-0 against the Sooners. Oklahoma up to bat in the bottom of 2nd.
Mac Morgan took the mound for the Texas Longhorns, and the Texas defense supported her with Viviana Martinez completing a double play from a grounded ball hit by Ella Parker to end the 1st inning. Texas is up to bat in the top of the 2nd.
Karlie Keeney took to the mound to start for the Oklahoma Sooners against the formidable Texas Longhorns, the best-hitting team in softball. Despite getting solid hits, the Longhorns were unable to capitalize on any opportunities. The Sooners are up to bat in the bottom of the 1st.
Oklahoma vs. Texas: Game 2 TV, Streaming and how to watch
- Date: Thursday, June 6, 2024
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Devon Park, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+, fuboTV
How to watch: Catch the WCWS with an ESPN+ subscription
Tickets for Game 2 of the Women’s College World Series final are available through AXS. Just before the game on Thursday, ticket prices range from $86 to $1,087 per person.
Bracket according to NCAA.
May 30:
May 31 – Loser’s bracket (elimination games)
June 1 – Winner’s bracket
June 2
June 3
June 4
The Oklahoma Sooners are favored to win the Women’s College World Series, according to the FanDuel odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering 2024 sports betting promos.
Odds listed as of Thursday.
- Moneyline: Oklahoma Sooners (-164); Texas Longhorns (+128)
TheOklahoman: Oklahoma 7, Texas 2
Jeff Patterson writes: “It just feels like the greatest senior class in college softball history is destined to leave OU as the first group to win four consecutive NCAA titles in the sport, right? On the ropes against Florida, the Sooners chipped away until senior Jayda Coleman blasted an opposite-field home run to win it. Facing the Longhorns in Game 1 of the WCWS finals, senior Tiare Jennings set the tone with a two-run homer in the first inning. Texas emptied the bullpen Wednesday night and it didn’t seem like there was an answer. Texas is a really good team, no doubt. But you have to wonder if the Sooners are in the Longhorns’ heads, given some of the mental errors from Game 1. It just feels like a sweep.”
Sportskeeda: Oklahoma Sooners
Staff writes: “The Oklahoma Sooners seem to have the answer to stop the Texas Longhorns. Following their Game 1 victory, Oklahoma improved to an unbelievable 32-3 in 35 games against the Longhorns. Its offense also showed the ability to dominate, scoring five runs in the first three innings. However, they are not going to just stop, as they score a run in each of the final three innings to add some insurance.”
Friday, June 7:
Game 3 (if necessary): 8 p.m. ET on ESPN or stream on ESPN+
Since 2005, the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns have faced each other 56 times. The Sooners have emerged victorious in 43 of these meetings, while Texas has won 13.
Their most recent matchup was on May 11, when the Sooners defeated the Longhorns 5-1. Before that, the Longhorns won the other two matchups of 2024 with a score of 2-1, which were in Austin, Texas.
May 30:
Oklahoma 9-1 Duke: The Oklahoma Sooners eased to an opening round win, defeating Duke 9-1 in six innings.
Texas 4-0 Stanford: The Texas Longhorns were too much for the Stanford Cardinals in the first game, defeating Stanford 4-0 in their first game at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
June 1:
Oklahoma 1-0 UCLA: The Oklahoma Sooners battled it against the UCLA Bruins to edge past the Bruins 1-0.
Texas 10-0 Florida: The Texas Longhorns dominated the Florida Gators to move on in the Women’s College World Series.
June 3:
Texas 1-0 Stanford: The lone run by freshman Teegan Kavan punched the Texas Longhorns ticket to the 2024 Women’s College World Series finals.
Florida 9-3 Oklahoma: The Florida Gators were too much for the Oklahoma Sooners and forced a second game to determine who will advance to the 2024 Women’s College World Series final and face the Texas Longhorns.
June 4:
Oklahoma 6-5 Florida: It was ultimately the defending champions, the Oklahoma Sooners, with a run-off home run to earn the bid to the 2024 WCWS and face a familiar foe, the Texas Longhorns.
Oklahoma Sooners leading hitters in 2024:
According to ESPN:
- Brito: .491 OBP, .810 SLG, 18 HR, 60 RBI
- Jennings: .470 OBP, .831 SLG, 24 HR, 64 RBI
- Parker: .517 OBP, .713 SLG, 12 HR, 58 RBI, 17 SB
- Coleman: .491 OBP, .810 SLG, 18 HR, 60 RBI
- Pickering: .511 OBP, .669 SLG, 10 HR, 45 RBI
- Hanson: .470 OBP, .664 SLG, 10 HR, 39 RBI
- Sanders: .461 OBP, .635 SLG, 14 HR, 43 RBI
- Torres: .415 OBP, .606 SLG, 9 HR, 35 RBI
- Boone: .451 OBP, .509 SLG, 1 HR, 26 RBI
Texas Longhorns leading hitters in 2024:
According to ESPN:
- Atwood: .502 OBP, .880 SLG, 23 HR, 92 RBI
- Scott: .486 OBP, .698 SLG, 11 HR, 57 RBI
- Stewart: .490 OBP, .691 SLG, 13 HR, 58 RBI
- Mitchell: .483 OBP, .636 SLG, 8 HR, 35 RBI, 11 SB
- Washington: .422 OBP, .634 SLG, 10 HR, 34 RBI
- Martinez: .443 OBP, .607 SLG, 5 HR, 52 RBI
- Dayton: .471 OBP, .566 SLG, 3 HR, 33 RBI, 13 SB
- Henry: .419 OBP, .587 SLG, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 26 SB
- Maloney: .434 OBP, .397 SLG, 21 RBI
The 2024 Women’s College World Series Game 1 attracted 1.9 million viewers, as reported by ESPN PR. This game, featuring the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners, had the highest viewership since 2021 and was the most-watched WCWS Game 1 ever. Additionally, it was the second most-streamed softball game on ESPN+.
In Game 1 of the Women’s College World Series against the Oklahoma Sooners, the Texas Longhorns demonstrated their pitching depth with Teagan Kavan, Mac Morgan, Estelle Czech, and Citlaly Gutierrez all taking the mound.
Although Gutierrez was the primary pitcher against the Sooners in the regular season, Teagan Kavan started in Game 1. Texas’s pitching depth and experience give them an advantage in the WCWS finals Game 2.
The Oklahoma Sooners have strategically decided to choose right handed pitcher Karlie Keeney to start in Game 2. left-handed pitcher Kelly Maxwell, who transferred from Oklahoma State, will most likely be on deck for Keeney and taking a well deserved rest. In the Women’s College World Series against UCLA, Maxwell showcased her prowess by striking out a season-high of 11 batters to advance.
Before Game 1 against Texas, Maxwell had thrown nearly 150 pitches throughout the tournament and added another 119 against the Longhorns on Wednesday. Strengthening Oklahoma’s pitching depth, Nicole May, the team’s number three pitcher, boasts a commendable record of 14-3 and has had significant success against Texas, instilling confidence in the team’s overall performance.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
