NCAA Softball pushes back start time for Day 4 of Women's College World Series due to weather

The first pitch in Alabama and Florida‘s highly-anticipated matchup in the Women’s College World Series has been pushed back due to a weather delay, NCAA Softball announced.

Game 9 will now begin at 6:06 p.m. ET and gates will open approximately one hour before pitch. The game was originally slated for a 3 p.m. ET start time. More updates will be given through social media as needed.

The Crimson Tide are coming off their first Women’s College World Series victory since 2021 after defeating Duke 2-1 while facing elimination on Saturday. Catcher Marlie Giles was the hero for Alabama against the Blue Devils, scoring the only two runs of the day for her team on a double in the first inning and a home run in the sixth.

“She saw the ball as big as a basketball tonight,” Alabama softball coach Patrick Murphy said postgame. “It was perfect timing. We had a runner on, she hit the double. The next time she hits a home run. Two RBIs, one person. That’s all [Kayla] Beaver needed.”

On the mound, Kayla Beaver played the final 3.2 innings where she kept Duke scoreless and hitless with three strikeouts to keep the Crimson Tide alive.

For the Gators, they bested Oklahoma State 1-0 in the opening round of the WCWS but were sent to the consolation rounds by the top-seeded Texas Longhorns 10-0 in five innings to set up the SEC matchup in a win-or-go-home scenario.

Texas pitcher Mac Morgan allowed one hit during the matchup to go with one walk while fanning five Gators batters during the contest. Florida’s Kate Kistler was the lone player to record a hit during the contest.

“The players control what you do in the post-season,” Florida coach Tim Walton said after the loss. “They’re the ones that continue to play in big moments. They’re the ones that get an opportunity to do it. My job is to try to help each one of them achieve their confidence and get the reps that they need. That’s how I handle post-season always. Always have. I don’t overcoach it. We don’t overscout it. I’m not going to overthink it either, think they’re going to be super excited to get up and get after it.

“We just got our butts kicked. They’re competitors. That’s the bad part about being in the losers bracket. It’s that doubt. It’s my job to pump confidence in them. But it’s their job to bring their A-game. That’s what I expect them to do tomorrow.”

The winner will advance to face Oklahoma in the semifinals on Monday. Whether it’s Alabama or Florida, either team will have to take down the Sooners twice to advance to the national softball finals.