ESPN to Present the 2014 NCAA Division I Softball Championship
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May 14, 2014
Coverage From Seven Regional Sites, Every Game Televised From Super Regionals and Women’s College World Series
ESPN will be the home of the 2014 NCAA Division I Softball Championship presented by Capital One beginning Friday, May 16, featuring exclusive coverage from seven Regional sites, all eight Super Regionals and the Women’s College World Series. Regional round coverage (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3) features up to 49 games from seven campus sites (May 16 – May 18). ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU will televise every game from the eight Super Regionals (May 22 – May 25) and Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. (May 29 – June 4). ESPN began televising the entire Women’s College World Series in 2001 and Super Regionals in 2007.
ESPN’s Regional coverage will feature six of the top 11 seeds in the tournament, including No. 2 Alabama (Tuscaloosa Regional) and No. 3 UCLA (Los Angeles Regional). Additional top seeds include No. 6 Louisiana Lafayette (Lafayette Regional), No. 7 and defending champion Oklahoma (Norman Regional), No. 8 Florida State (Tallahassee Regional), No. 9 Arizona State (Tempe Regional), and No. 11 Arizona (Tucson Regional). ESPN will carry every game from these seven Regionals – a four-team, double-elimination tournament with one team from each site advancing to the Super Regionals. A full schedule is provided below.
The 2014 NCAA Division I Softball Championship bracket was unveiled during ESPNU’s NCAA Softball Championship Selection Show presented by Capital One on Sunday, May 11. The Southeastern Conference received the most bids (11), followed by the Big Ten (5), Pac 12 (5), Atlantic Coast (4), Big 12 (4), and American Athletic (3). Overall, 32 conferences are represented in the field and six teams will make their first appearance: Bryant University, Charleston Southern University, Dartmouth University, Utah Valley University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Texas Southern University. The complete 64-team bracket can be seen here.
ESPN’s NCAA Division I Softball Championship Coverage Highlights
ESPN Analysts: ESPN’s softball analysts are accomplished former college, Olympic and professional softball players
- Kayla Braud – Lafayette Regional
- College: Alabama
- Honors: Three-time All American, National Champion (2012), SEC Freshmen of the Year (2010)
- Jenny Dalton-Hill – Norman Regional
- College: Arizona
- Honors: National Player of the Year (1996) and Women’s College World Series MVP (’96) Four-time National Champion, winning three as a player (1993, ’94, and ’96) and one as an assistant coach, also with Arizona (1997)
- Amanda Freed – Los Angeles Regional
- College: UCLA
- Honors: National Champion (1999), pitched in the three other WCWS (2000, ’01, ’02, ’03), member of gold medal-winning team at the 2004 Athens Olympics
- Jessica Mendoza – Tempe Regional
- College: Stanford
- Honors: Four-time All-American (1999, 2000, ’01, ’02), member of gold medal-winning team at the 2004 Athens Olympics and silver medal winning team at 2008 Beijing Olympics
- Leah O’Brien-Amico – Tuscaloosa Regional
- College: Arizona
- Honors: Won three national championships (1993, ’94, ’97), member of goal medal-winning teams at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2004 Athens Olympics
- Amanda Scarborough – Tucson Regional
- College: Texas A&M
- Honors: Two-time All-American (2005, ’07). Only player in Big 12 history to receive Freshman of the Year and Player of Year in same season (2005), played in two WCWS (2007, ’08)
- Michele Smith – Tallahassee Regional
- College: Oklahoma State
- Honors: Two-time All American, member of goal medal-winning teams at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 2000 Sydney Olympics, eight-time Japan Pro League MVP
Garland Cooper, three-time Big Ten Play of the Year, and Cheri Kempf, Hall of Famer, will be in-studio throughout the Regionals.
espnW.com — The online destination for 2014 NCAA Division I Softball Championship coverage.
- Comprehensive Recaps: Graham Hays will provide daily recaps in a “five things you should know” format.
- Tourney Snapshots: Behind-the-scenes video and photos from teams and student athletes participating in the championship. Fans can submit their photos by tagging them #RoadtoWCWS in the Regionals and Super Regionals and then #WCWS during the Women’s College World Series.
- Student-Athlete Perspective: Six student-athletes will blog throughout their championship experience: Ally Carda (UCLA) Amber Freeman (Arizona State), Victoria Hayward (Washington), Ellen Renfroe (Tennessee), Janie Takeda (Oregon), and Lacey Waldrop (Florida State).
Social Media Integration:
- @ESPNU and @espnW will provide news, game updates, photos and videos throughout the championship. Fans can join the conversation by tagging their tweets with #RoadtoWCWS in the Regionals and Super Regionals and then #WCWS during the Women’s College World Series.
ESPN Regional Coverage Information (May 16 – 18)
Please note: A Day-by-Day Regional Schedule, can be found here
Region by Region Schedule
Tallahassee Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Fri, May 16 | 4:30 p.m. | South Florida vs. South Carolina Pam Ward, Michele Smith |
ESPN2 |
| 7 p.m. | Fordham vs. No. 8 Florida State | ESPN2 | |
| Sat, May 17 | Noon | Game: No. 3 | ESPN |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game: No. 4 | ESPN | |
| 5 p.m. | Game: No. 5 | ESPN3 | |
| Sun, May 18 | Noon | Game: No. 6 | ESPN2 |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game: No. 7 (if nec) | ESPN2 |
Tempe Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Fri, May 16 | 3:30 p.m. | San Diego State vs. Michigan Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza |
ESPNU |
| 6 p.m. | Dartmouth vs. No. 9 Arizona State | ESPNU | |
| Sat, May 17 | 6 p.m. | Game: No. 3 | ESPNU |
| 8:30 p.m. | Game: No. 4 | ESPNU | |
| 11 p.m. | Game: No. 5 | ESPNU | |
| Sun, May 18 | 5:30 p.m. | Game: No. 6 | ESPNU |
| 8 p.m. | Game: No. 7 (if nec) | ESPNU |
Tucson Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Fri, May 16 | 8 p.m. | Louisville vs. LSU Adam Amin, Amanda Scarborough |
ESPN |
| 11 p.m. | Boston University vs. No. 11 Arizona | ESPNU | |
| Sat, May 17 | 4:30 p.m. | Game: No. 3 | ESPN |
| 7 p.m. | Game: No. 4 | ESPN | |
| 9:30 p.m. | Game: No. 5 | ESPN | |
| Sun, May 18 | 4:30 p.m. | Game: No. 6 | ESPN2 |
| 7 p.m. | Game: No. 7 (if nec) | ESPN2 |
Los Angeles Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Fri, May 16 | 6 p.m. | Long Beach State vs. Notre Dame Tracy Warren, Amanda Freed |
ESPN3 |
| 9 p.m. | Southern Utah vs. No. 3 UCLA | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 17 | 3 p.m. | Game: No. 3 | ESPN3 |
| 6 p.m. | Game: No. 4 | ESPN3 | |
| 9 p.m. | Game: No. 5 | ESPN3 | |
| Sun, May 18 | 3 p.m. | Game: No. 6 | ESPN3 |
| 6 p.m. | Game: No. 7 (if nec) | ESPN3 |
Norman Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Fri, May 16 | 6 p.m. | Hofstra vs. Texas A&M Mark Neely, Jenny Dalton-Hill |
ESPN3 |
| 8:30 p.m. | Bryant vs. No. 7 Oklahoma | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 17 | 2 p.m. | Game: No. 3 | ESPN3 |
| 4:30 p.m. | Game: No. 4 | ESPN3 | |
| 7 p.m. | Game: No. 5 | ESPN3 | |
| Sun, May 18 | 2 p.m. | Game: No. 6 | ESPN3 |
| 4:30 p.m. | Game: No. 7 (if nec) | ESPN3 |
Tuscaloosa Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Fri, May 16 | 4:30 p.m. | USC Upstate vs. South Alabama Cara Capuano, Leah O’Brien-Amico |
ESPN3 |
| 7 p.m. | SIU Edwardsville vs. No. 2 Alabama | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 17 | 2 p.m. | Game: No. 3 | ESPN3 |
| 4:30 p.m. | Game: No. 4 | ESPN3 | |
| 7 p.m. | Game: No. 5 | ESPN3 | |
| Sun, May 18 | 2 p.m. | Game: No. 6 | ESPN3 |
| 4:30- p.m. | Game: No. 7 (if nec) | ESPN3 |
Lafayette Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Fri, May 16 | 4 p.m. | Mississippi State vs. Texas Melissa Lee, Kayla Braud |
ESPN3 |
| 7 p.m. | Texas Southern vs. No. 6 Louisiana Lafayette | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 17 | 1 p.m. | Game: No. 3 | ESPN3 |
| 4 p.m. | Game: No. 4 | ESPN3 | |
| 7 p.m. | Game: No. 5 | ESPN3 | |
| Sun, May 18 | 1 p.m. | Game: No. 6 | ESPN3 |
| 4 p.m. | Game: No. 7 (if nec) | ESPN3 |
ESPN Super Regionals Television Schedule (May 22-25)
Please note: A day-by-day schedule can be found here: Day-by-Day
Region by Region Schedule
Tallahassee Super Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Thur, May 22 | 7 p.m. | Game No. 1: Michigan vs. No. 8 Florida State Pam Ward, Michele Smith |
ESPN |
| Fri, May 23 | 4 p.m. | Game No. 2: No. 8 Florida State vs. Michigan | ESPNU |
| 7 p.m. | Game No. 3: (if nec) | ESPN |
Tuscaloosa Super Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Thur, May 22 | 9 p.m. | Game No. 1: Nebraska vs. No.2 Alabama Adam Amin, Amanda Scarborough |
ESPN |
| Fri, May 23 | 6 p.m. | Game No. 2: No. 2 Alabama vs. Nebraska | ESPNU |
| 9 p.m. | Game No. 3: (if nec) | ESPN |
Athens Super Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Fri, May 23 | 2 p.m. | Game No. 1: No. 13 Baylor vs. No. 4 Georgia Cara Capuano, Cheri Kempf |
ESPNU |
| Sat, May 24 | Noon | Game No. 2: No. 4 Georgia vs. No. 13 Baylor | ESPN |
| 3 p.m. | Game No. 3: (if nec) | ESPN |
Norman Super Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Fri, May 23 | 7 p.m. | Game No. 1: No. 10 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Oklahoma Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza |
ESPN2 |
| Sat, May 24 | 5 p.m. | Game No. 2: No. 7 Oklahoma vs. No. 10 Tennessee | ESPN |
| 8 p.m. | Game No. 3: (if nec) | ESPN2 |
Lafayette Super Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Fri, May 23 | 9 p.m. | Game No. 1: No. 11 Arizona vs. No. 6 Louisiana-Lafayette Melissa Lee, Jennie Finch |
ESPNU |
| Sat, May 24 | 3 p.m. | Game No. 2: No. 6 Louisiana-Lafayette vs. No. 11 Arizona | ESPNU |
| 6 p.m. | Game No. 3: (if nec) | ESPNU |
Gainesville Super Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Sat, May 23 | 1 p.m. | Game No. 1: No. 12 Washington vs. No. 5 FloridaMark Neely, Jenny Dalton-Hill | ESPNU |
| Sun, May 24 | Noon | Game No. 2: No. 5 Florida vs. No. 12 Washington | ESPN |
| 3 p.m. | Game No. 3: (if nec) | ESPN |
Los Angeles Super Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Sat, May 23 | 8 p.m. | Game No. 1: No. 14 Kentucky vs. No. 3 UCLA Holly Rowe, Amanda Freed |
ESPNU |
| Sun, May 24 | 3 p.m. | Game No. 2: No. 3 UCLA vs. No. 14 Kentucky | ESPNU |
| 6 p.m. | Game No. 3: (if nec) | ESPNU |
Eugene Super Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game/Commentators | Network |
| Sat, May 23 | 10 p.m. | Game No. 1: No. 16 Minnesota vs. No. 1 Oregon Joe Davis, Leah O’Brien-Amico |
ESPN2 |
| Sun, May 24 | 5 p.m. | Game No. 2: No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 16 Minnesota | ESPN |
| 8 p.m. | Game No. 3: (if nec) | ESPN2 |
Networks and times are subject to change
The higher seed in each Super Regional has home/away choice in a decisive Game 3 (if nec)
ESPN Women’s College World Series Television Schedule (May 29 – June 4)
Commentators will be announced after the Super Regionals
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Thurs, May 29 | Noon | WCWS: Game No. 1 | ESPN |
| 2:30 p.m. | WCWS: Game No. 2 | ESPN | |
| 7:00 p.m. | WCWS: Game No. 3 | ESPN2 | |
| 9:30 p.m. | WCWS: Game No. 4 | ESPN2 | |
| Friday, May 30 | 7 p.m. | WCWS: Game No. 5 | ESPN2 |
| 9:30 p.m. | WCWS: Game No. 6 | ESPN2 | |
| Sat, May 31 | Noon | WCWS: Game No. 7 | ESPN2 |
| 2:30 p.m. | WCWS: Game No. 8 | ESPN2 | |
| 7 p.m. | WCWS: Game No. 9 | ESPN | |
| 9:30 p.m. | WCWS: Game No. 10 | ESPN | |
| Sun, June 1 | 1 p.m. | WCWS: Game No. 11 | ESPN |
| 3:30 p.m. | WCWS: Game No. 12 | ESPN | |
| 7 p.m. | WCWS: Game No. 13( if nec) | ESPNU | |
| 9:30 p.m. | WCWS: Game No. 14 (if nec) | ESPNU | |
| Mon, June 2 | 8 p.m. | WCWS Finals: Game No. 1 | ESPN2 |
| Tue, June 3 | 8 p.m. | WCWS Finals: Game No. 2 | ESPN |
| Wed, June 4 | 8 p.m. | WCWS Finals: Game No. 3 (if nec) | ESPN |
Networks and times are subject to change
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Media contact: Derek Volner at 860-384-9986; [email protected] and @DerekVolner
