NCAA softball: Three Super Regional matchups to watch

The NCAA softball Super Regionals are here, with 16 teams competing for trips to the Women’s College World Series.

Just Women’s Sports has three matchups to keep an eye on this weekend, plus the full schedule.

No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 16 UCF

Oklahoma returns to the field after winning its regional final 20-0 and setting an NCAA record in the process. Freshman phenom Jordy Bahl remains a question mark with a forearm injury, but the pitcher’s hasn’t set the Sooners back so far in this tournament.

UCF will look to its pitching staff of Gianna Mancha and Kama Woodall to help stall the Sooners’ bats long enough to put up some runs. While it’s a tough task, it’s not impossible. After all, Texas A&M held Oklahoma to just three runs in their first regional meeting — before the Sooners’ offense exploded in the final.

No. 8 Arizona State vs. No. 9 Northwestern

Northwestern posted two run-rule wins in its regional, both against a very good McNeese team that thrashed Notre Dame. Pitcher Danielle Williams recorded her 300th strikeout of the season while Rachel Lewis – who ranks top 10 in the NCAA in homers – got her postseason party started.

The Wildcats will go up against a hot Sun Devils program that got two quality wins over San Diego State. Cydney Sanders will be one to watch for ASU, as she can put up some quality home runs of her own. She has 21 homers so far this season, a single-season program record.

Oregon State vs. Stanford

These two unseeded teams pulled off surprising upsets at regionals and now find themselves fighting for a WCWS spot. Oregon State and Stanford knocked off Alabama and Tennessee, respectively.

The Cardinal could be riding the school’s championship wave (including a recent NCAA golf title) after shutting out Alabama twice behind Alana Vawter.

Something to keep an eye on: Oregon State won two out of three against Stanford in the regular season. But those were all low-scoring games. Vawter pitched the one win Stanford had against the Beavers, so look for her once again to dominate from the pitching circle.

Full Schedule

No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 16 UCF

• Game 1: UCF vs. Oklahoma, 4:30 p.m. ET Friday on ESPN2
• Game 2 : UCF vs. Oklahoma, 2 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN
• Game 3: Sunday, May 29, if necessary

No. 8 Arizona State and No. 9 Northwestern

• Game 1: Northwestern vs. Arizona State 8 p.m. Friday on ESPNU
• Game 2: Northwestern vs. Arizona State, 11 p.m. Saturday on ESPN2
• Game 3: Sunday, May 29, if necessary

No. 5 UCLA and No. 12 Duke

• Game 1: Duke vs. UCLA at 11 p.m. Friday on ESPN2
• Game 2: Duke vs. UCLA at 8:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN2
• Game 3: Sunday, May 29, if necessary

No. 4 Arkansas and Texas

• Game 1: Texas vs. Arkansas at 7 p.m. Thursday on ESPN2
• Game 2: Texas vs. Arkansas at 4 p.m. Friday on ESPN
• Game 3: Saturday, May 28, if necessary

No. 3 Virginia Tech and No. 14 Florida

• Game 1: Florida vs. Virginia Tech at 2 p.m. Friday on ESPN2
• Game 2: Florida vs. Virginia Tech at noon Saturday on ESPN
• Game 3: Sunday, May 29, if necessary

Oregon State and Stanford

• Game 1: Oregon St. vs. Stanford at 10:30 p.m. Friday on ESPNU
• Game 2: Oregon St. vs. Stanford at 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPNU
• Game 3: Sunday, May 29, if necessary

No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Clemson

• Game 1: Clemson vs. Oklahoma State at 9:30 p.m. Thursday on ESPN2
• Game 2: Clemson vs. Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. Friday on ESPN2
• Game 3: Saturday, May 28, if necessary

Arizona and Mississippi State

• Game 1: Arizona vs. Mississippi State at noon Friday on ESPNU
• Game 2: Arizona vs. Mississippi State at 4 p.m. Saturday on ESPNU
• Game 3: Sunday, May 29, if necessary