Women's College World Series Game 1 set to resume after weather delay

Game 1 between Oklahoma and Florida State in the Women’s College World Series final is set to resume at 9:10 p.m. ET, ESPN’s Holly Rowe reports.

The matchup, which was originally slated for an 8 p.m. ET start time, was delayed after lightning was detected less than an hour before the first scheduled pitch. Before the lightning strike, the video board at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium’s displayed a message noting that they were expecting inclement weather.

Fans were evacuated from the stands promptly.

Heading into the matchup, the Sooners were able to advance to their fourth-straight WCWS final series after defeating Stanford 4-2 on Monday. They’re looking to secure their third-straight NCAA Championship with two wins over the Seminoles.

FSU won 5-1 over Tennessee in Monday’s national semifinal as well, and is looking to dethrone the queens of college softball.

If the ‘Noles can find their bats against ace Jordy Bahl, they are 30-0 when scoring six or more runs in a game. That’s easier said than done, of course, but the same can be said for the Sooners. When their bats get hot — they don’t miss. OU is 50-0 this season when scoring at least four runs in a game, which comes easy to them averaging a staggering 8.4 runs per game throughout their 60 games.

Meanwhile, Florida State has been averaging 6.3 runs per game this season — but has seen their offensive production fall throughout the postseason. They’re averaging less than five runs per game heading into the national championship series, but the FSU defensive consistency (giving up 2.2 runs per game) is what has saved their season this tournament.

On offense, Seminoles OF Kaley Mudge is batting .364 (8-for-22) this postseason with six RBIs and four extra-base hits in seven tournament games. C Michaela Edenfield and OF Kalei Harding are both also batting above .350 this postseason for FSU. The trio’s bats will need to come alive in a big way this week in Oklahoma City.

For OU, Tiare Jennings has been the MVP for the Sooners this postseason. Batting .414 in eight games this tournament, Jennings has gone 13-for-29 with five home runs, three doubles and 12 RBIs. Alyssa Brito is another long ball threat, having hit a team-high four home runs this postseason.

Game two of the Women’s College World Series — barring any weather delays — is set for Thursday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET live on ESPN and the ESPN app.