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OU softball taking on Florida in the WCWS semifinals

Bob Przybyloby:Bob Przybylo•06/02/24•

BPrzybylo

NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series
May 30, 2024; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Florida Gators starting pitcher Keagan Rothrock (7) and catcher Jocelyn Erickson (8) celebrate a strike out in the second inning against the Oklahoma St. Cowgirls during a Women's College World Series softball game at Devon Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

It’s going to be OU and Florida to determine who is going to the Women’s College World Series championship series.

The Sooners got to chill all Sunday, with a number of the players attending the OU baseball game. But the Gators got the job done Sunday afternoon after a three-hour rain delay with a 6-4 victory against Alabama to send the Crimson Tide home.

OU and Florida will get the WCWS semifinals rolling 11 a.m. on ESPN.

It’s the first time Florida has made the WCWS semifinals since 2017. Of course, that year was marked by OU defeating the Gators in the national championship series.

And it was a familiar face that helped the Gators get going. Florida had only three hits and one run combined in its first two outings in Oklahoma City. However, Jocelyn Erickson changed all that.

She got the ball rolling with an RBI single in the third inning. Then delivered the game-deciding blow with a three-run home run in the top of the sixth.

Erickson has been brilliant all season for the Gators. She had a stellar freshman season at OU, but Erickson surprised some by hitting the transfer portal.

Erickson now has a ridiculous 84 RBIs this season and 14 home runs. The Gators have four players with at least 13 home runs.

Setting the stage

OU has two chances Monday. If the Gators win the first game, the teams will come right back for a winner-take-all contest immediately after the initial contest.

Looking at the circle? It’s hard to go against Kelly Maxwell right now. Head coach Patty Gasso doesn’t have to rely on one arm. But after what Maxwell did in a complete game victory vs. UCLA, hard to argue if that’s the choice.

Kierston Deal and Nicole May are well-rested and ready to go.

For the Gators, you have to ride the arm. Freshman Keagan Rothrock earned her 32nd win of the season by sending Bama packing. If Rothrock pitches two innings Monday, she’ll top the 250-inning mark. Just a sensational freshman season, including 26 complete games.

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