The 2026 Women’s College World Series is underway in Oklahoma City, and the tournament already delivered its first upset Thursday afternoon as No. 7 Tennessee knocked off reigning national champion and No. 2 seed Texas, 6-3, in the opening round. The Longhorns entered the WCWS with one of the more favorable draws in the bracket, but now must fight through the losers’ bracket to keep their repeat hopes alive and avoid another loss before next week’s championship series.
Tennessee advances to face No. 11 Texas Tech after the Red Raiders opened their WCWS run with an 8-0 run-rule victory over Mississippi State in five innings. Ace NiJaree Canady again starred in the circle as last year’s runner-up, Texas Tech, moved one step closer to returning to the national championship series. Mississippi State will now meet Texas in an elimination game on Friday.
No. 1 overall seed Alabama overcame an early deficit to defeat No. 8 UCLA, 6-3, behind a go-ahead three-run home run from Brook Wells in the sixth inning. The Bruins struck first with back-to-back home runs in the third inning, including one from Megan Grant, who became the 10th player in NCAA softball history to reach 90 career home runs and tie Stacey Nuveman for most in UCLA history. Still, it was the Crimson Tide who emerged with the opening-round victory.
The nightcap of Day 1 action needed extra innings before No. 4 Nebraska walked off No. 5 Arkansas, 5-3, on a two-run home run from Ava Kuszak in the 10th inning. Jordy Frahm — formerly Jordy Bahl — threw 133 pitches in the Cornhuskers’ return to the WCWS, where she previously won two national championships at Oklahoma before transferring back to her home state. Nebraska also improved to 19-5 this season in games it trailed, the best mark in Division I.
Arkansas will face UCLA in a Friday elimination game, while Nebraska and Alabama meet Saturday in a winners-bracket matchup between top seeds.
For the complete schedule and results for every matchup at Devon Park, follow along right here at CBS Sports.
All times ET
Thursday, May 28
Game 1: No. 11 Texas Tech 8, Mississippi State 0 (F/5)
Game 2: No. 7 Tennessee 6, No. 2 Texas 3
Game 3: No. 1 Alabama 6, No. 8 UCLA 3
Game 4: No. 4 Nebraska 5, No. 5 Arkansas 3 (F/10)
Friday, May 29
Game 5: Mississippi State vs. No. 2 Texas (7 p.m. ESPN2)
Game 6: No. 8 UCLA vs. No. 5 Arkansas (9:30 p.m. ESPN2)
Saturday, May 30
Game 7: No. 11 Texas Tech vs. No. 7 Tennessee (3 p.m. ABC)
Game 8: No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 4 Nebraska (7 p.m. ESPN)
Sunday, May 31
Game 9: Winner of Game 5 vs. Loser of Game 8 (3 p.m. ABC)
Game 10: Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 7 (7 p.m. ESPN2)
Monday, June 1
Game 11: Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 9
Game 12 (if necessary): Rematch of Game 11
Game 13: Winner of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 10
Game 14 (if necessary): Rematch of Game 13
Championship Series
Game 1: Wednesday, June 3 (8 p.m. ESPN)
Game 2: Thursday, June 4 (8 p.m. ESPN)
Game 3 (if necessary): Friday, June 5 (8 p.m. ESPN)
