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Game 11: Oklahoma 4, Stanford 2
The pressure was on Oklahoma in extra innings, as the longest winning streak in Division I softball history almost came to an end on Monday. But the Sooners overcame the challenge like they so often do to advance to the Women’s College World Series championship series for the fourth consecutive year.
Stanford started the game on fire right out of the gate, when Kylie Chung’s two-run home run gave the Cardinal the lead. The Sooners had a quick response in the second inning, as Alynah Torres’ sacrifice fly sent Alyssa Brito in to put them on the board.
Jayda Coleman then welcomed in the third inning with a home run to tie the game.
From there, the bats went quiet on both sides, as Jordy Bahl and NiJaree Canady had incredible outings for their teams, sending the contest to extra innings.
In the ninth inning, Oklahoma found its rhythm again, when Grace Lyons smacked a leadoff double. Stanford made the decision to intentionally walk Coleman, but Tiare Jennings came to the plate next, ripping a game-winning double to right field.
The Cardinal couldn’t find any other ways to produce runs in the bottom of the ninth, which ended their first WCWS run since 2004.
Oklahoma will face Florida State in Game 1 of the WCWS championship series on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Game 12: Florida State 5, Tennessee 1
The Florida State Seminoles needed to win just one game to advance to the Women’s College World Series championship series for the second time in three years. And in a game full of home runs and terrific defense, they did just that.
The Tennessee Vols stepped out ready to battle in the first inning, when Zaida Puni homered, but it was the only run they would put up for the rest of their season.
Florida State turned around quickly in the second inning, when Michaela Edenfield sent a solo home run to left-center. From there, the runs kept flowing in for the Seminoles. Bethaney Keen homered in the third inning, then Jahni Kerr singled to center, scoring Autumn Belviy in the fifth inning. Then Hallie Wacaser added two more runs in the sixth inning to solidify FSU's victory.
The Florida State pitching staff threw five shutout innings, as Makenna Reid threw two innings and Kathryn Sandercock tossed five.
Florida State will now go head-to-head with Oklahoma and seek redemption after losing to the Sooners in the 2021 WCWS championship series.
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