To take a Christmas holiday song totally out of context, for us softball fans (read: “fanatics!”), “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!”
… well, for great college action, it is!
Today we begin four days of great NCAA DI playoff action as the “Sweet 16”—whittled down from the 64 who made it to last week’s Regionals—play a best 2-out-of-3 format to see who advances to the Women’s College World Series—the first one since UCLA won in 2019 (cancelled last year because of the COVID pandemic).
Also, this weekend is historic for another reason: the Oklahoma vs. Washington game on Saturday, which is the middle game of the potential three-game series, will be televised by ABC—the first time the broadcast network has EVER aired a college softball game!
How important is this?
Even a non-college sports legend like tennis great Billie Jean King tweeted its importance not just for softball but for all of women’s sports increasing in visibility and significance:
For the first time ever, a college softball game will be shown on ABC, this Saturday at 2pm EST.
Good luck to @UWSoftball and @OU_Softball! 🥎
This is a terrific boost for women’s sports, so please tune in.#RoadToWCWS https://t.co/4FQ3cWd1ox
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) May 26, 2021
Prior to games starting today (LSU vs. Florida State in the Baton Super Regional and UCLA vs. Virginia Tech in the Los Angeles Regional later tonight), be sure to check out a couple of links that will get you revved up for the action:
* a great Super Regionals preview by Michella Chester for NCAA.com… click HERE
* the Official Bracket which tracks how the teams are advancing… click HERE
Later today, we’ll have an amazing Throwback Thursday feature on one of the top players in this year’s NCAA tournament so be sure to check back to find out what is one of my Top 5 favorite stories I’ve ever been part of!
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
*****
Norman Super Regional — May 28-30, 2021
No. 1 Oklahoma vs. Washington | 3 p.m. Friday | ESPN2
No. 1 Oklahoma vs. Washington | 3 p.m. Saturday | ABC
No. 1 Oklahoma vs. Washington | 4 p.m. Sunday | ESPN
Columbia Regional — May 28-30, 2021
No. 8 Missouri vs. James Madison | 9 p.m. Friday | ESPNU
No. 8 Missouri vs. James Madison | 7 p.m. Saturday | ESPNU
No. 8 Missouri vs. James Madison | 12 or 2 p.m. | TBD
Stillwater Super Regional — May 28-30, 2021
No. 5 Oklahoma State vs. Texas | 5 p.m. Friday | ESPN2
No. 5 Oklahoma State vs. Texas | 4 p.m. Saturday | ESPN
No. 5 Oklahoma State vs. Texas | 6 p.m. Sunday | ESPNU
Gainesville Super Regional — May 28-30, 2021
No. 4 Florida vs. Georgia | 5 p.m. Friday | ESPNU
No. 4 Florida vs. Georgia | 12 p.m. Saturday | ESPN
No. 4 Florida vs. Georgia | 12 p.m. Sunday | ESPN
Tuscaloosa Super Regional — May 28-30, 2021
No. 3 Alabama vs. No. 14 Kentucky | 1 p.m. Friday | ESPN2
No. 3 Alabama vs. No. 14 Kentucky | 2 p.m. Saturday | ESPN
No. 3 Alabama vs. No. 14 Kentucky | 4 p.m. | ESPNU
Fayetteville Super Regional — May 28-30, 2021
No. 6 Arkansas vs. No. 11 Arizona | 7 p.m. Friday | ESPNU
No. 6 Arkansas vs. No. 11 Arizona | 5 p.m. Saturday | ESPN2
No. 6 Arkansas vs. No. 11 Arizona | 9 p.m. Sunday | ESPN2
Baton Rouge Super Regional — May 27-29, 2021
No. 7 LSU vs. No. 10 Florida State | 7 p.m. Thursday | ESPN
No. 7 LSU vs. No. 10 Florida State | 7 p.m. Friday | ESPN2
No. 7 LSU vs. No. 10 Florida State | 7 p.m. Saturday | ESPN2
Los Angeles Super Regional — May 27-29, 2021
No. 2 UCLA vs. Virginia Tech | 9:30 p.m. Thursday | ESPN
No. 2 UCLA vs. Virginia Tech | 9:30 p.m. Friday | ESPN2
No. 2 UCLA vs. Virginia Tech | 9:30 p.m. Saturday | ESPN2
