How The Women's College World Series Could Have Played Out

Though the 2020 college softball season was cut short by COVID-19, we projected what the NCAA Tournament could have looked like based on the results that emerged from the shortened season.

We started with the 2020 Regionals, then advanced to the 2020 Super Regionals and now we move on to the 2020 Women's College World Series.

See below for how we believe the 2020 WCWS could have played out.

Group One

(1) UCLA

(8) LSU

(12) Alabama

(4) Washington

Group Two

(2) Texas

(7) Oklahoma State

(3) Florida

(6) Arizona

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Game 1:

UCLA 4, LSU 1

Megan Faraimo, once again, brings her best stuff. Despite having the better team ERA, the Tigers allow four runs in the third inning after two RBI doubles from Aaliyah Jordan and Maya Brady. That is certainly enough run support for Faraimo to get the job done.

Game 2:

Washington 3, Alabama 2

This duel between Gabbie Plain and Montana Fouts goes the distance. The Crimson Tide don’t have such an easy time against Plain like they did in the regular season, but similar to that game, Bailey Hemphill blasts a two-run homer to give Alabama an early lead. After five innings, Washington finally gets to Fouts after a Morganne Flores RBI double and then a two-run home run from Baylee Klingler.

Game 3:

Texas 6, Oklahoma State 3

The Longhorns take this Big 12 matchup after getting to Carrie Eberle for four runs in the first. Oklahoma State answers back against Miranda Elish in the third inning, however, with three runs of its own. But it’s not enough, as Lauren Burke and Mary Iakopo drive in two insurance runs for Texas.

Game 4:

Florida 2, Arizona 0

Rylee Trlicek puts the nation on notice about who she is. She goes a full seven innings to shut out the dangerous Arizona offense. She doesn’t bring the strikeout numbers, but the Wildcats look frustrated as they hit the ball. Florida puts together a two-run inning in the second with hits from Hannah Adams and Sophia Reynoso.

Game 5:

Washington 3, UCLA 1

Heather Tarr changes it up and sends Kelley Lynch into the circle rather than Plain. The bold move works out for Washington, as the freshman shines against the defending champs. The Huskies score one run in three separate innings, with Sis Bates scoring two of them. They get revenge for last year’s WCWS thriller and send the Bruins to the loser’s bracket.

Game 6:

Alabama 5, LSU 2, (LSU eliminated)

Lexi Kilfoyl does well against the Tigers’ lineup, avoiding big innings a few times and limiting the damage to two runs the whole game. The Crimson Tide’s offense scores three in the first and another two in the third before LSU quiets the Alabama bats for a possible comeback the last four innings. It isn’t enough, however, as the Tigers are the first team to go home.

Game 7:

Texas 7, Florida 2

Natalie Lugo can’t replicate Trlicek’s success from Florida's previous game. Shannon Rhodes, Miranda Elish and Lauren Burke all homer in the first two innings to give Shealyn O’Leary an early lead that lets her cruise to the sixth. Texas brings in Elish for the final two innings after the Gators load up the bases in the sixth. She limits the damage and puts the Longhorns in the driver’s seat on the other side of the bracket.

Game 8:

Oklahoma State 8, Arizona 6, (Arizona eliminated)

This is the first game this year that becomes high scoring on both sides in Oklahoma City. Five home runs are hit and five different pitchers are used. The Wildcats get two bombs from Jessie Harper. Meanwhile, Alysen Febrey and Sydney Pennington hit home runs and Kiley Naomi’s grand slam puts Oklahoma State on top. After not starting the game, Carrie Eberle closes the door for her team.

Game 9:

Alabama 6, Florida 1, (Florida eliminated)

The Crimson Tide strike first in the fourth inning against their SEC foes. Abby Doerr, Skylar Wallace and KB Sides drive in five runs against Lugo and Trlicek in the frame. The wheels fall off for the Gators, and the Crimson Tide advance.

Game 10:

UCLA 3, Oklahoma State 1, (Oklahoma State eliminated)

UCLA comes back with a vengeance after losing to Washington. Outside of a solo home run from Febrey, Faraimo is nearly untouchable in the circle. The UCLA offense is propelled by back-to-back home runs in the first from Briana Perez and Maya Brady. The Bruins hope to keep their momentum going.

Game 11:

Washington 2, Alabama 1, (Alabama eliminated)

Gabbie Plain and Lexi Kilfoyl have a classic pitching duel. Sis Bates and Skylar Wallace both make outstanding plays at shortstop. Washington gets a two-run double off the bat of SilentRain Espinoza to get on top. The Crimson Tide manage a run in the sixth inning, but can't find the tying run. The Huskies move on to the championship series. 

Game 12:

UCLA 4, Texas 2

The Bruins set up a win-or-go home game after beating the only team that got the best of them in the shortened season. Faraimo and Elish duke it out, but this time the long ball gets the better of Elish. Aaliyah Jordan and Delanie Wisz each homer, and four runs are enough for Faraimo. 

Game 13:

Texas 7, UCLA 3, (UCLA eliminated)

The Longhorns come back and make adjustments to move into the championship series. The offense explodes without any home runs. After a great season for UCLA, the Bruins are left without a second consecutive national championship.

Championship Series

Washington over Texas (2-1), (Washington wins 2020 Women’s College World Series)

The Huskies, once again, ride Plain for their game one victory. The low-scoring contest goes Washington’s way thanks to great defense and some small ball.

Game two sees Texas jump on top quickly after Washington puts Kelley Lynch in the circle. Three runs in the first set the pace for the Longhorns and set up a decisive game three.

The two teams find themselves tied at two in the sixth of game three. Morganne Flores’ two-run bomb ties things in the fourth after solo home runs from Shannon Rhodes and Courtney Day. After reaching on a bunt single to start the six, Sis Bates scores the eventual game-winning run on a double in the gap from Sami Reynolds. Plain and the defense close things out in the seventh to finally get over the hump and earn themselves a national championship ring.