The Razorbacks are headed to Oklahoma City.
Arkansas softball opens play at the Women’s College World Series on Thursday night against Nebraska, with first pitch scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at Devon Park. The Hogs (47-11) earned their spot in the tournament after winning regionals in Fayetteville last weekend.
Nebraska (51-6) comes in as one of the hottest teams in the country with a 26-game winning streak. The Cornhuskers went a perfect 10-0 in their last 10 games and finished the season with a stellar 51-6 record — the most wins among both teams.
The game will be televised on ESPN2. Viewers can stream it through WatchESPN.com or the ESPN app with a subscriber login.
The coaches
This will be Courtney Deifel’s 11th season leading Arkansas softball, where she’s compiled a 406-190 record. She took over the program in 2016 and has guided the Razorbacks to three Women’s College World Series appearances, including this one.
On the other side of the diamond, Nebraska’s Rhonda Revelle is in her 34th season with the Cornhuskers with a career record of 1,221-686 in Division I. She’s one of the most experienced coaches in college softball.
Series history
Arkansas holds a 6-2 advantage in the all-time series against Nebraska. The two teams most recently met on Feb. 19, 2023, at the Clearwater Invitational in Florida, where the Razorbacks came away with a 6-1 victory.
Thursday’s meeting marks the first postseason matchup between the programs.
What to watch
The Razorbacks come in with momentum, winning five straight games including their regional in Fayetteville. Their 47-11 record is strong, but they’ll face a Nebraska team that has been dominant — the Cornhuskers’ 51 wins represent the best record either team has posted this season.
Arkansas went 8-2 in its final 10 games, while Nebraska was perfect at 10-0 down the stretch.
The game marks the second WCWS opener for Arkansas in program history. The Razorbacks made their first appearance in Oklahoma City in 2022.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
