NCAA Division I Women’s College World Series Preview

Writing by admin on Thursday, 31 of May , 2007 at 4:12 pm

California has a lot going on. Maybe too much; they forgot to send a team to the women’s college World Series.

This eight-team, double-knockout softball tournament has been dominated by California-based schools throughout its 25-year history. UCLA has won 11 Division I titles (losing one of those championships to recruiting violations) and gone to the finals on seven other occasions. California and Fresno State are also familiar names at the WCWS. This year? Nada.

The folks next door in Arizona are still doing well, though. The Wildcats are the seven-time and reigning champions. Despite some roster issues earlier this year, Arizona easily won the Pac-10 at 15-5-1 and went a flawless 5-0 through the preliminary “regional” and “super regional” rounds of the women’s Tournament. That was good enough to make the ‘Cats the No. 1 seed for this week’s festivities in Oklahoma City.

Arizona, however, might have an Achilles’ heel. The Baylor Bears went 2-1 versus the ‘Cats in non-conference action and look hungry for more. Coach Glenn Moore has built a tremendous program over the last seven years, leading the Bears to the Big 12 championship and their first-ever WCWS. And it just so happens that the Bears and Wildcats go at it on opening night, Thursday at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

The other six teams appearing at the WCWS are Arizona State, DePaul, Northwestern, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Washington. The Blue Demons are the default Cinderellas, taking the No. 14 overall seed into Oklahoma City. This team reached the WCWS two years ago before injuries ruined their 2006 campaign; coming out of the unheralded Big East (at least, in terms of softball) might give DePaul some value, despite that unblemished 20-0 record in conference play.

The Blue Demons open the 2007 WCWS against the Huskies Thursday at 1:00 p.m Eastern. ESPN is on board for the television coverage.

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Category: Online College Baseball

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