Complete Guide to Softball Super Regionals

Columbia Super Regional
No. 11 Washington vs. No. 6 Missouri
Game One – Thursday, May 23 – 8 p.m. – ESPN
Game Two – Friday, May 24 – 5 p.m. – ESPNU
If necessary – Friday, May 25 – 8 p.m. – ESPN
What to Watch: Chelsea Thomas. She is the difference in this series. A good performance in two games from Thomas should send the Tigers to yet another Women’s College World Series. If her arm issues returns, Washington may be headed back to OKC.
Weather for Series: Cold game tonight and will be in the high 60s to low 70s tomorrow, no rain expected.

Ann Arbor Super Regional
Louisiana-Lafayette vs. No. 8 Michigan
Game One – Friday, May 24 – 1 p.m. – ESPNU
Game Two – Saturday, May 25 – 11 a.m. – ESPN
If necessary – Saturday, May 25 – 2 p.m. – ESPN
What to Watch: Don’t expect to see a ton of runs scored this weekend in Ann Arbor. Neither team has scored many runs as of late. A three game series definitely benefits the Wolverines who have two solid pitchers, while the Ragin’ Cajuns lean almost entirely on Jordan Wallace, but she did get the job done in Baton Rouge.
Weather for Series: Cool, but clear. Temperature will not rise much higher than the mid-60s, which might be a bit of a culture shock for the girls from Louisiana.

Norman Super Regional
No. 16 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Oklahoma
Game One – Friday, May 24 – 6 p.m. – ESPN
Game Two – Saturday, May 25 – 11 a.m. – ESPN
If necessary – Saturday, May 25 – 2 p.m. – TBD
What to Watch: The ball sail out of the yard! Seriously though, this could be the highest scoring Super Regional of the year. The Aggies lead the nation in home runs this year, but they’ll need at least two great games from Mel just to have a chance at upsetting OU.
Weather for Series: Chance of isolated thunderstorms in Norman on Friday and Saturday. Heavy rain on Thursday created unplayable field conditions for Thursday, so the series opener has been postponed.

Knoxville Super Regional
No. 10 Alabama vs. No. 7 Tennessee
Game One – Friday, May 24 – 6 p.m. – ESPN2
Game Two – Saturday, May 25 – 4 p.m. – ESPN
If necessary – Saturday, May 25 – 7 p.m. – ESPN2
What to Watch: Jackie Traina. If Alabama gets a similar performance from Jackie Traina in Knoxville as to last Sunday, the Crimson Tide will most likely punch its ninth ticket to Oklahoma City. Both teams had great regionals, but the competition will rise this weekend.
Weather for Series: No rain expected in Knoxville, but it will be unseasonably cool. Temperatures will be in the low-60s on Friday, and mid-60s to low-70s on Saturday.

Austin Super Regional
Florida State vs. No. 4 Texas
Game One – Friday, May 24 – 8 p.m. – ESPNU
Game Two – Saturday, May 25 – 2 p.m. – ESPNU
If necessary – Saturday, May 25 – 5 p.m. – ESPNU
What to Watch: Texas. Longhorn Softball fans have to be thinking they have been cursed. UT has had World Series caliber teams for a handful of seasons now and has not been able to push through. Is this finally the year for Blaire Luna?
Weather for Series: Guess what… It’s going to be hot in Texas! Temperature in the 90s on Saturday, but that is nothing new for Florida State. No rain expected.

Gainesville Super Regional
UAB vs. No. 2 Florida
Game One – Saturday, May 25 – Noon – ESPN
Game Two – Sunday, May 26 – 11 a.m. – ESPN
If necessary – Sunday, May 26 – 2 p.m. – ESPN
What to Watch: Florida hitters don’t struggle very often, but when they do get stumped it seems to come more on movement rather than speed and that would be a good sign for UAB. The Blazers are the Cinderella team of the year, but Gainesville isn’t an easy place to win.
Weather for Series: It should be pleasant in Gainesville for this series. Mid-80s, which is pretty good for this time of year with reasonable humidity.

Eugene Super Regional
No. 14 Nebraska vs. No. 3 Oregon
Game One – Saturday, May 25 – 7 p.m. – ESPNU
Game Two – Sunday, May 26 – 2 p.m. – ESPNU
If necessary – Sunday, May 26 – 5 p.m. – ESPNU
What to Watch: Oregon in the circle. Unless the Ducks have a bit of a meltdown, they should advance on to Oklahoma City.
Weather for Series: Temps in the mid-60s. Chance of rain on Sunday.

Tempe Super Regional
No. 12 Kentucky vs. No. 5 Arizona State
Game One – Saturday, May 25 – 9 p.m. – ESPN2
Game Two – Sunday, May 26 – 4 p.m. – ESPN
If necessary – Sunday, May 26 – 7 p.m. – ESPN2
What to Watch: Dallas Escobedo. If Dallas is on like she was in Regionals, it will be a quick trip to the desert for Kentucky.
Weather for Series: Temperature is expected to hit 100 on Saturday, but it’s a dry heat (inside joke for us southerners that have been out west). No chance of rain in Tempe this weekend.