The Women’s College World Series begins Thursday, May 28, as Texas Tech and Mississippi State open the festivities from Oklahoma City.
Thursday will bring a full slate of games as the field of eight squares off hoping to avoid being sent to the loser’s bracket and an uphill battle on Day 1. Following the Red Raiders and Bulldogs, fans will be treated to Tennessee vs defending champion Texas, No. 1 Alabama vs UCLA, and Nebraska vs Arkansas to round out the night.
All of that makes for a full day of softball with some fascinating matchups.
Alabama earned every bit of its No. 1 seed in the regional and super regional rounds, allowing just one run through all five games. It will meet a scorching hot Bruins team with arguably the best 1-2 batting punch in the country in Woolery-Grant.
Tennessee and Texas will be scraping for runs with some of the best pitchers in the tournament in the circle.
Nebraska and Arkansas pits newly minted player of the year Jordy Frahm against a team batting over .340 cumulatively.
And Texas Tech vs Mississippi State will feature the darlings of the tournament against a team looking to become a WCWS mainstay.
Who will come out on top in these games and beyond? USA TODAY Sports picks its winners for Thursday and its eventual national champions.
Women’s College World Series predictions
WCWS Game 1: Texas Tech vs Mississippi State predictions
∎ Kevin Skiver, USA TODAY: Texas Tech
You’ve got to love what Samantha Ricketts has done in Starkville. The Bulldogs stunned Oklahoma to make their first Women’s College World Series, leaving Patty Gasso uncharacteristically scrambling to find outs among her pitching staff.
That won’t be an issue for the Red Raiders. Despite what has been a rough postseason for NiJaree Canady, Kaitlyn Terry has provided flexibility for Gerry Glasco, who has happily moved back and forth between the two for matchup purposes.
∎ Mitchell Northam, USA TODAY: Texas Tech
The Bulldogs might feel like they have some momentum after a shutout win over Oklahoma to end the supers, but the Red Raiders are swinging well and have two aces on the pitching staff.
WCWS Game 2: Texas vs Tennessee predictions
∎ Kevin Skiver, USA TODAY: Texas
When runs are at a premium, the question becomes: Who are your bats? Both teams field some of the best pitching in the country, so Katie Stewart and Kayden Henry are the tiebreakers here.
∎ Mitchell Northam, USA TODAY: Tennessee
The Lady Vols have the best pitching staff in country with a combined team ERA of 1.35. They should notch an early win over the reigning national champs.
WCWS Game 3: Alabama vs UCLA predictions
∎ Kevin Skiver, USA TODAY: Alabama
This game is almost impossible to pick. Normally the Woolery-Grant duo would be enough to overcome incredible pitching, but Alabama has shut down everyone to this point. Briski and Moten get the benefit of the doubt until further notice.
∎ Mitchell Northam, USA TODAY: UCLA
Alabama is the No. 1 overall seed, but have they faced a lineup featuring sluggers like Jordan Woolery and Megan Grant this season?
WCWS Game 4: Nebraska vs Arkansas predictions
∎ Kevin Skiver, USA TODAY: Arkansas
Jordy Frahm is the best player in the country, and has the hardware to prove it. But there are no easy outs in the Arkansas order, and it can wear down just about anyone.
∎ Mitchell Northam, USA TODAY: Nebraska
The Cornhuskers have Jordy Frahm and the Razorbacks do not.
Women’s College World Series champion predictions
∎ Kevin Skiver, USA TODAY:Alabama over Texas
Sure, it’s chalky to take the No. 1 seed over the No. 2 seed. But this Texas team is well-tested, going up against an excellent Arizona State team in super regionals while Alabama has more than played the part of a No. 1 seed. Ultimately, the Crimson Tide pitching proves to be the difference, and Alabama wins its first title in 14 years.
∎ Mitchell Northam, USA TODAY: UCLA over Texas Tech
The big bats of the Bruins prevail over the Red Raiders’ high-priced pitching staff.
WCWS bracket, schedule 2026
All times Eastern
Thursday, May 28
- Game 1: No. 11 Texas Tech vs. Mississippi State | Noon | ESPN (Fubo)
- Game 2: No. 7 Tennessee vs. No. 2 Texas | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
- Game 3: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 8 UCLA | 7 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
- Game 4: No. 5 Arkansas vs. No. 4 Nebraska | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
Friday, May 29
Saturday, May 30
Sunday, May 31
Monday, June 1
- Game 11: Noon | ESPN (Fubo)
- Game 12 (if necessary): 2:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
- Game 13: 7 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
- Game 14 (if necessary): 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
Wednesday, June 3
- WCWS finals Game 1: 8 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Thursday, June 4
- WCWS finals Game 2: 8 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Friday, June 5
- WCWS finals Game 3 (if necessary): 8 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WCWS predictions for Day 1 of college softball Women’s World Series