Texas Softball vs. Stanford WCWS Preview and Prediction
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2024 Women’s College World Series semifinals matchup between No. 1 Texas and No. 8 Stanford.
GAME INFO
Location: OGE Energy Field at Devon Park | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Time: Monday, June 3 | 6:00 p.m. CT | ESPN2 (if-necessary game at 8:30 p.m.)
Records: Texas (54-8); Stanford (50-16)
Rankings: Texas (No. 1 Seed); Stanford (No. 8 Seed)
Last Week: Texas def. Florida, 10-0 (5 inn.); Stanford def. UCLA, 3-1
WCWS HISTORY
TEXAS LONGHORNS
- WCWS Appearances: 7
- Championships: 0
- All-Time NCAA Tournament Record: 81-52 (.609)
- All-Time WCWS Record: 13-13 (.500)
STANFORD CARDINAL
- Appearances: 4 (Second consecutive appearance)
- Championships: 0
- All-Time NCAA Record: 61-47 (.565)
- All-Time WCWS Record: 8-7 (.533)
KEY PLAYERS
TEXAS LONGHORNS
RHP Teagan Kavan, Fr.
Texas freshman hurler Teagan Kavan was pitted against NiJaree Canady in her very first Women’s College World Series start last Thursday, and while that might seem incredibly intimidating, it didn’t seem to phase her at all. Kavan was sensational in her WCWS debut, tossing a complete 7.0 innings and allowing just a single hit with four walks and eight strikeouts on the evening.
1B Katie Stewart, Fr.
In Texas’ 10-0 rout of Florida on Saturday, there wasn’t a Longhorn player who had a bigger day at the plate than freshman first baseman Katie Stewart. In three plate appearances, Stewart was perfect, with two hits and one walk, one being a double and the other a two-run shot. She had a team-high four RBI in the victory and will be a player to watch in UT’s rematch with Stanford.
STANFORD CARDINAL
RHP NiJaree Canady, So.
In 13.0 innings of action since Canady faced Texas last Thursday, she’s allowed just seven hits with one earned run and 15 strikeouts as the Cardinal eliminated Oklahoma State and UCLA en route to their redemption shot against the Longhorns. While she struggled against the Longhorns last week, don’t just assume that she’ll surrender five hits and four earned runs again. In Game 1 of the Super Regionals against LSU, Canady surrendered 10 hits and six runs to the Tigers. Over the nest two games, LSU would manage just five hits and not a single earned run over 13.0 IP.
INF Taryn Kern, So.
While she checks in at fourth on the team with a .280 batting average, sophomore infielder Taryn Kern is the X-Factor for the Cardinal offense. She leads the team in on-base percentage (.510), slugging (.518), runs (44), BBs (58), and HBP (22). In other words, Kern has a knack for getting on base and getting home. Unfortunately, she also leads the team with 50 strikeouts and has been a bit streaky at the plate at times. Against UCLA, Kern was 1-for-3 with an RBI double and one run scored, helping lead the way for the Cardinal’s 3-1 win.
KEY STORYLINES
CAN CANADY DO THE IMPOSSIBLE?
Texas has looked every bit of the No. 1 seed since arriving in Oklahoma City last weekend. In the two games that we’ve seen them, Texas has outscored Stanford and Florida 14-0 and has allowed just two hits, let alone any runs.
After falling to 0-1 after the first day, NiJaree Canady and the Cardinal have fought their way to the national semifinals for the second straight season. To do that, they’ve blanked Oklahoma in run-rule fashion and beaten UCLA for the first time in four tries this season. Stanford is now 5-0 in elimination games this postseason and will have to go 7-0 in order to get to the WCWS Finals.
That doesn’t just feel unlikely but next to impossible with how Texas has played to this point in OKC. We are in for treat either way, as it will either take, not one, but two performances for the ages from Canady to pull off the upset, or we will see Texas prevail yet again in one of the more dominant WCWS run we’ve ever seen from the Longhorns.
PREDICTION: Texas Prevails in Low-Scoring Affair
I think two things can be true. First, I think we will see an absolute gem from NiJaree Canady, who will once again be pitching with her team’s postseason dreams hanging in the balance. But also, I believe that the inevitability of Texas is just too much for the Cardinal to overcome. I see the Longhorns winning this without the need for an if-necessary game, but even if we do see that extra matchup, I just have a hard time seeing Canady go in back-to-back complete games against UT and maintaining full effectiveness all the way through.
