Oklahoma Softball vs. UCLA WCWS Preview and Prediction
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2024 Women’s College World Series matchup between No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 6 UCLA.
GAME INFO
Location: OGE Energy Field at Devon Park | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Time: Saturday, June 1 | 2:00 p.m. CT | ABC
Records: Oklahoma (55-6); UCLA (43-10)
Rankings: Oklahoma (No. 2 Seed); UCLA (No. 6 Seed)
Last Game: Oklahoma def. Duke, 9-1 (6 inn.); UCLA def. Alabama, 4-1
WCWS HISTORY
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
- Appearances: 21 (Eight consecutive appearances dating back to 2016)
- Championships: 7 (2000, ’13, ’16, ’17, ’21, ’22, ’23)
- All-Time NCAA Tournament Record: 161-54 (.749)
- All-Time WCWS Record: 49-23 (.681)
UCLA BRUINS
- Appearances: 36 (Most All-Time)
- Championships: 12 (Most All-Time)
- All-Time NCAA Record: 239-66 (.784)
- All-Time WCWS Record: 104-41 (.717)
KEY PLAYERS
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
LHP Kelly Maxwell, Gr.
Oklahoma’s top arm didn’t have her best stuff against Duke on Thursday, going 3.2 IP with four walks and one earned run on one hit and four strikeouts. Her day ended after three consecutive walks, giving way to Kierston Deal, who finished out the game without letting the Blue Devils score again. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Maxwell get the start again, although Oklahoma could opt for Deal, Nicole May, or even Karlie Keeney in this spot.
INF Tiare Jennings, Sr.
There aren’t many players in softball history who have the career that Tiare Jennings does as her time in college comes to a close. Some of the biggest moments in her illustrious career have come against UCLA, too. In fact, it’s probably fair to say that she’s been the stuff of nightmares for the Bruins as of late. In her last two games against UCLA, Jennings is 5-for-8 with one HR and seven RBIs. She went 1-for-3 against Duke on Thursday afternoon, and unfortunately for the Bruins, she’s due for a big showing.
UCLA BRUINS
LHP Kaitlyn Terry, Fr.
UCLA freshman Kaitlyn Terry made her WCWS debut against Alabama on Thursday and was impressive, allowing one run on four hits and recording three strikeouts in 4.0 IP during a 4-1 win over the Crimson Tide. She leads the Bruins with 175.2 IP on the year and ranks second on the team with a 2.35 ERA. It wouldn’t be surprising whatsoever to see her get another start against OU with a trip to the national semifinals on the line.
INF Maya Brady, Sr.
UCLA’s top player for each of the past seasons has been Maya Brady, and she’s on fire at the plate coming into this game. This postseason, Brady is 13-for-19 (.684) with seven RBI and 11 runs scored. With a lineup that is stacked with power, Brady is probably the batter that Oklahoma should be most cautious about heading into this game.
KEY STORYLINE
A MEETING OF SOFTBALL ROYALTY
There will be 19 combined national championships between these two programs when they face off on Saturday, but the prestige between the Bruins and Sooners goes further than that. Oklahoma (2021-23) and UCLA (1988-90) are the only two programs that have ever won three consecutive national titles and the Sooners are attempting to make history by becoming the first team to ever win four. The Sooners have outscored UCLA 29-0 in their last two meetings dating back to the 2022 WCWS, so there’s bound to be plenty of emotions from both sides of this pseudo-rivalry.
PREDICTION: SOONERS WIN, 9-4
Oklahoma’s offense was on fire against an excellent Duke pitching staff, and while UCLA has been playing terrific softball of late, their staff ranks seventh out of eight teams that made it to OKC with a 2.71-team ERA. If the Sooners’ bats stay hot, they should be able to pull away in this one. I’m not predicting a third consecutive shutout in the series, as OU’s pitching staff isn’t as good as it was in 2022 or 2023, but this group of seniors has had a vendetta against UCLA, and that will continue.
