Tuscaloosa Super Regional

http://www.okctalk.com/images/icons/ou.pngOklahoma Sooners 5 - Alabama Crimson Tide 2

https://sp.yimg.com/ib/th?id=JN.DoA29B5jVuAppVZFJ4XIbg&pid=15.1&P=0
Trailing 2-0 entering the sixth inning, the Sooners scored five times, courtesy of a pair of two-run homers by Chamberlain and junior outfielder Kady Self plus a sacrifice fly by Paige Parker.



Oklahoma softball had not been held hitless through five innings all season. Senior Lauren Chamberlain had never hit a home run in the state of Alabama.

Both of those ended in the top of the sixth inning in Oklahoma's dramatic 5-2 win over Alabama in the first game of the Tuscaloosa Super Regional.

Alabama had loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh inning, but Parker struck out the Crimson Tide's home run leader, Marisa Runyon, for the final out on a 3-2 offspeed pitch.


Oklahoma (49-7) and Alabama (45-13) will face off again at 4 p.m. Saturday on ESPN. Oklahoma only needs to win one game to advance to the Women's College World Series at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. If necessary, a third game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday and airs on ESPN2.


http://www.oklahoman.com/power-play/article/5421940

The Sooners got eliminated tonight by Alabama.

Congratulations to Coach Patty Gasso & the Oklahoma Sooners' Softball team on an outstanding season.


https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS897mmKwHp88evdtcp1HVCSkFgaM_hX 6x7AKU7gcJX060m9f4xJw Women's College World Series - Oklahoma City - May 28, - June 2/3.

Many intangibles help define a city. OKC is host to the Division I WCWS national championship softball tournament which is being televised on ESPN stations which provide a spotlight to showcase our city. Get out, show your support for softball as the WCWS will host the following schools:


1. Florida
2. Oregon
3. Michigan
4. Auburn
5. LSU
6. Alabama
7. UCLA
8. Tennessee

Women's College World Series | NCAA.com (http://www.ncaa.com/championships/softball/d1)

1. Florida
2. Oregon
3. Michigan
4. Auburn
5. LSU
6. Alabama
7. UCLA
8. Tennessee


Are we sure this is the 2015 WCWS thread and not the 2015 SEC Conference Tournament thread? ;)

Geez, no kidding...

SEC has fielded 5 of the 8 teams in the WCWS 2015 tournament. The SEC football money has really helped their softball programs.

Football has everything to do with the success of SEC softball | News OK (http://newsok.com/football-has-everything-to-do-with-the-success-of-sec-softball/article/5422969)

The Alabama Crimson Tide players are staying at the Embassy Suites on Meridian. Some players where leaving the parking lot around 3:30 p.m., today. Alabama trails Michigan 5-0 upon completion of the 4th.

The OGE Field @ Hall of Fame Stadium appears to have some impressive crowds for opening day. Oklahoma City is getting some positive prompts as tournament host.

Managed to watch a number of softball games on ESPN, the crowd at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium looks like they are at capacity with the exception of the late night games.

The SEC (5 teams) brought quite a following to OKC. Alabama & Auburn's rivalry appears much more intense the OU-OSU, it has spilled over into the SEC softball.

It will be interesting to see what the total attendance figures are for tournament along with the impact dollars estimate on he local economy.

Congratulations to the Florida Gators on their repeat as the Women's College World Series 2015 champions; also for the Michigan Wolverines as worthy competitive runner-ups.

Oklahoma City Shines...

“Let's not do that again,” said Smith, a longtime civic leader in the state. “It's more dollars for Oklahoma today than it was for us when we lost the NFR back then.

“What other event do we have that broadcasts seven straight days all over the world, and talks about Oklahoma City, and showcases everything we have here?” Brassfield asked. “It's a great tourist event, with 80 percent of the people coming from out of state.

http://www.teamusa.org/~/media/USA_Softball/Images/Stadium/800x375/ASAHallofFameComplex.jpg?la=en&h=375&w=800
The success of the WCWS numbers were impressive:


SEC was dominant with 5 teams fielded among the 8 tournament qualifiers.
Tournament attendance set an all time record of 78,078 (without any local or Big 12 teams).
WCWS has an estimated economic impact of $12 million to $15 million each year.

Note: The previous record was 75,960 set in 2012.


Once these improvements are completed, and the future of the WCWS in Oklahoma City is secure, it's estimated the economic impact of this event will be $20 million annually.

The Future looks bright. ASA Hall of Fame Stadium Expansion:
http://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-62e2b1470ff08427fcd67cdd1542dd90.jpg
The cost of the project is estimated at $20 million, with about $7 million coming from private sources and $13 million from public funds, including a potential future bond issue. Expansion of ASA Hall of Fame Stadium (OGE Energy Field) will continue its current 8,000-seat capacity to approximately 12,200 with an upper deck (4,200 additional seats) as part of the final phases with target completion 2018.

Oklahoma City will host the Women’s College World Series through 2035, provided the city makes good on its promise to complete a four-phase renovation as the benchmarks are met.

Let's make sure WCWS stays in OKC | News OK (http://newsok.com/lets-make-sure-wcws-stays-in-okc/article/3858903)

WCWS: A look at the strength of OKC's hold on the event | News OK (http://newsok.com/wcws-a-look-at-the-strength-of-okcs-hold-on-the-event/article/3841177)

SEC has fielded 5 of the 8 teams in the WCWS 2015 tournament. The SEC football money has really helped their softball programs.

Football has everything to do with the success of SEC softball | News OK (http://newsok.com/football-has-everything-to-do-with-the-success-of-sec-softball/article/5422969)

The Alabama Crimson Tide players are staying at the Embassy Suites on Meridian. Some players where leaving the parking lot around 3:30 p.m., today. Alabama trails Michigan 5-0 upon completion of the 4th.

The OGE Field @ Hall of Fame Stadium appears to have some impressive crowds for opening day. Oklahoma City is getting some positive prompts as tournament host.

A better SEC probably helps us in the long run, given how much closer the average SEC team is verses the PAC teams. Several are a decent road trip length (verses almost having to be a plane trip), which surely leads to higher attendance/tourists numbers.