Road to OKC: UF 2, VT 0 (9)

The Hokies go 2NQ at the 2008 Women's College World Series after losing to No. 1 Florida, 2-0, Saturday in Oklahoma City.

Angela Tincher suffered the loss despite striking out 19. The Gators scored two runs in the ninth on a double by pinch hitter Mary Ratliff. Tincher struck out the first two batters of the inning, but gave up two singles and hit a batter before Ratliff's double.

The Hokies had a chance to win the game in the seventh. Erin Ota led off the inning and reached third on a fielding error by Florida center fielder Kim Waleszonia. Gator pitcher Stacey Nelson intentionally walked Charisse Mariconda and Misty Hall to load the bases for Kelsey Hoffman. However, Hoffman grounded into a double play and Jessica Everhart grounded out to end the inning.

Both Thursday and Saturday, early clouds gave way to bright sunshine and temps in the 90s. It was hot, but average for Oklahoma in late May. The Hokie fans Saturday were into the game, getting loud on almost every two-strike count. A few Hokies decided to have fun with the Florida faithful. Every time they started the "Gator Bait" chant, the Hokies behind me responded with chants of "We Eat Gator."

It was a great year for the Hokies and a great career for Angela Tincher. She delivered another brilliant performance, pitching her way out of trouble a few times in the game. However, the Hokie bats were again unable to provide any run support. Below are photos from Saturday's game.


Even softball fans tailgate in the a.m.


Fun at the WCWS Fan Fest


Bracket in front of the stadium


Statue in front of the stadium


Hokies prepare to take the field


Angela Tincher


Hokie fans from Stillwater, Okla.


Hokies are eliminated by Florida

Road to OKC: Game 2 vs. Florida

One loss and the Hokies' season is over. If it comes today, it will end a storybook season for the softball program. It's been fun to follow the softball team this year at the game against Team USA, through ACC play and their run through the NCAA Tournament and WCWS. But there is still work to be done.

The Hokies face the No. 1 seed in the tournament, Florida at noon Saturday. With a win, the Gators will break the NCAA record for most wins in a season. The winner plays again at 7 p.m. while the loser goes 2NQ.

Florida is a team that relies heavily on its offense. Pitcher Stacey Nelson has struggled recently and the Hokies should have a chance to score some runs. Virginia Tech's Angela Tincher is pitching after a full day of rest, which is a big advantage for the Hokies. If Tincher throws the same quality game she did in her first game against Texas A&M, I believe the Hokies will win.

The key offensively for Tech will be getting runners into scoring position. They were able to collect six hits off Texas A&M pitcher Megan Gibson, but couldn't string them together or get down sacrifice bunts that would have moved runners over. A lot of runners were stranded at first base.

Nelson is the type of pitcher that the Hokies can excel against. She doesn't have a lot of big game experience and doesn't give up home runs, which the Hokies don't hit anyway. The home run Nelson gave up in the eighth inning Thursday against UL Lafayette was only the second she's allowed this season. However, she walks a lot of batters, something Virginia Tech should be able to take advantage of.

Gobbler Country at the WCWS
Game 1 vs. Texas A&M
WCWS Preview
Guide to OKC
WCWS Information

Road to OKC: A&M 1, VT 0

It was an outstanding performance by two remarkable athletes in Angela Tincher and Megan Gibson. What I was most impressed by was Tincher dialing it up to 70 mph on four consecutive pitches to record two strikeouts with a potential go-ahead run on third base in the fourth.

However, in the sixth, Virginia Tech gave up the only run Texas A&M needed when the always reliable Charisse Mariconda threw wildly to first base on what would have been the third out of the inning. Virginia Tech outplayed a superior team for the most part, but was unable to string its hits together. Texas A&M was and the heart of its order scratched across an unearned run against Tincher, who was her typical dominant self.

Something you may not have noticed watching on TV: ESPN's TV breaks between innings were unbearably long. At the beginning of the game, Tincher and Gibson would complete their warmups and then have to wait almost a minute before the inning would start. Both adjusted and toward the end of the game would wait a minute in the dugout before going out to begin their warmups.

Tough luck for Tech. But, this is a double elimination tournament and they will get a chance to survive and advance against No. 1 Florida at noon Saturday. Below are pictures from Thursday's loss to A&M:


Entrance to Don E. Porter ASA Hall of Fame Stadium


Fan Fest outside the stadium


Game 1 between UF and ULL


The new and improved scoreboard at the stadium


Hokies before their first WCWS game


The Hokie Bird makes an appearance in OKC. First time ever?


Hokies take the field for the bottom of the first


Hokies bat in the top of the seventh


Hokies fall to A&M and enter the losers bracket

Road to OKC: Game 1 vs. Texas A&M

The Hokies will have their hands full today against the Aggies. While they are getting most of the attention from the media, the Hokies are definitely the underdog. Outside of Megan Gibson, they Aggies don't have a lot of power threats. But they can all hit, with almost everyone in their batting order above .300.

It will be up to Angela Tincher to keep the Aggies at bay and give her offense a chance to scratch a run against Gibson. Gibson will go out there with something to prove. Many thought she should have been named player of the year over Tincher.

Check back later for a recap and photos from the game.

2008 WCWS

Gobbler Country Coverage
WCWS Preview
Guide to OKC
WCWS Information

Media Coverage
Oklahoman: After tragedy, it's hard not to pull for Hokies
Oklahoman: Hokies, Tincher recall no-hitter vs. Team USA
Roanoke Times: Angela Tincher's big test
Richmond Times-Dispatch: In a world of her own
Lynchburg News-Advance: Hokies depart for College Softball World Series
WDBJ7: Tech's softball team gears up for first College World Series
Norfolk Virginian-Pilot: Underdog Tech softball heads into its first College World Series

Road to OKC: WCWS Preview

Virginia Tech is definitely the underdog in this tournament. The Hokies are one of two unseeded teams in the field (UL Lafayette is the other). The key for the Virginia Tech will be avoiding playing two games in one day. They rely heavily on starting pitcher Angela Tincher and although she proved she is capable of being dominant in two games in one day in Ann Arbor, its important to get her arm as much rest as possible.

The good news for the Hokies is there isn't much WCWS experience on its side of the bracket. This is Florida's first appearance and UL Lafayette hasn't been since 2003. Texas A&M advances to the World Series last year and went 2NQ (2NQ - Two and Barbecue, or losing both games in a double elimination tournament). The lower half of the bracket is where all the muscle is in Alabama, Arizona State, Arizona and UCLA.

Obviously, if the Hokies can win their first two games, they will be in good shape. However, they will take quite an effort. They face Texas A&M and player of the year candidate Megan Gibson. Gibson is an outstanding all-around player. She is the Aggies best pitcher at 38-1, 0.98, is batting .345 and leads the team in home runs (13) and RBIs (48).

The Hokies were able to score runs thanks to errors and mental breakdowns by Michigan in the Super Regional. That won't happen against A&M. The Aggies have the best fielding percentage in the nation.

Should Tech beat A&M, they will likely face No. 1 seed Florida. The Gators are 67-3 this season and score runs in bunches. A win in their second game would give the Hokies a day off before facing the winner from the losers bracket. However, a loss would send them to the lower bracket, which might actually be tougher than the top half. It features the two-time defending national champion (Arizona), the highest scoring team in the nation (Alabama) and the greatest powerhouse in the history of softball (UCLA).

The Hokies have a great pitcher in Tincher, but at this point every team has a great pitcher. While Tincher is arguably the best pitcher in the nation, she will need help. The Hokies finally broke through with six runs in the third game of their Super Regional and they will need the same timely hitting in every game in OKC. Stranding the bases loaded like they did in the ACC tournament and their regional in Tennessee isn't an option. They are a team that relies on smallball and will need clutch hits to advance.

Texas A&M Aggies (54-7)

How they got here: Won Big 12 Tournament at Don E. Porter ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, hosted their regional, went 3-0 and beat Louisiana Tech to advance, hosted their super regional and swept Stanford.
Pitching: Ranked No. 7 in the country in ERA. Best pitcher is Meagan Gibson at 38-1, 0.98 in 40 appearances, 39 starts.
Hitting: Ranked No. 27 in the country in hitting. Best hitter is also Gibson, who is batting .345 and leads the team in home runs (13) and RBIs (48).
Notes: Have best fielding percentage in the nation...lost both games in 2007 WCWS...are on a 15-game winning streak...top three basestealers are a combined 42-for-43 on SB attempts.

Florida Gators (67-3)

How they got here: Won SEC Tournament in Baton Rouge, La., hosted their regional, went 3-1 and beat Central Florida to advance, hosted their super regional and swept Cal.
Pitching: Ranked No. 2 in the country in ERA behind Michigan. Best pitcher is Stacey Nelson at 45-3, 0.73 in 54 appearances, 44 starts.
Hitting: Ranked No. 16 in the country in hitting. Best hitter is Ali Gardiner, who is batting .405 with seven home runs and a team-best 56 RBIs. Have hit 61 home runs this season.
Notes: First ever trip to WCWS...lost to Texas A&M in the super regionals last season...67 wins ties NCAA record for victories in a season, set three times previously.

UL Lafayette (51-13)

How they got here: Won Sun Belt Tournament in Troy, Ala., went 3-0 in Baton Rouge regional, beating LSU to advance, traveled to Houston beat the Cougars in the super regional in three games.
Pitching: Ranked No. 16 in the country in ERA. No. 1 pitcher is true freshman Ashley Brignac at 30-5, 1.38 in 42 appearances, 33 starts. No. 2 pitcher is Donna Bourgeois at 16-4, 0.97 in 35 appearances, 20 starts.
Hitting: Ranked No. 9 in the country in hitting. The Ragin' Cajuns have four hitters ranked in the top 80 in the country in hitting. Best hitter is Holly Tankersley, who is hitting .452 and leads the team in home runs (21) and RBI (72).
Notes: Fifth WCWS appearance and since 2003...co-head coaches are husband and wife Michael and Stefni Lotief.

Road to OKC: Guide to Oklahoma City

I was born in Texas, but got to Oklahoma as quick as I could. I grew up in and around Oklahoma City and have seen it grow into an excellent place to live. When friends come in from out of town, they are usually surprised by how much there is to do and how good a time they have.

OKC may have a boring reputation outside of the state, but it's home and I think there's plenty to do and see here. I hope the Hokies that make the trip for the WCWS leave feeling the same way.

Where to Stay

Don't stay near the softball complex. It isn't the best of areas and the hotels near the stadium aren't great. Your best options are Downtown, Northwest Expressway and Broadway Extension in Edmond. From Downtown, you can access I-35 from I-40. From NW Expressway, you can access I-44, which gets you to I-35 in about three minutes. I work at NW Expressway and May Ave., and made the trip from there to the softball complex for the game against Team USA. The total drive time is 10-15 minutes. From Edmond, you can access I-35 from the Kilpatrick Turnpike in minutes.

Downtown

Courtyard by Marriott OKC Downtown - $190/night
Residence Inn Oklahoma City Downtown/Bricktown - $210/night
Sheraton Bricktown - $185/night
Renaissance Oklahoma City - $210/night
Historic Skirvin Hilton - $170/night

Northwest Expressway
Comfort Inn at Founders Tower - $75/night
Country Inn and Suites Oklahoma City - $70/night
Marriott Oklahoma City - $180/night
Extended Stay America OKC - $70/night

Broadway Extension (Edmond)
Fairfield Inn Edmond - $110/night
InTown Suites Edmond - $170/week

What to See

Those of you coming to OKC have to stop by the Oklahoma City National Memorial. On April 19, 1995, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed, killing 168 people. The memorial is beautiful and stirring and worth taking the time to visit.

If you went to public school in Oklahoma, like I did, you've been to the Omniplex about 20 times. It's a science museum that also has a dome-shaped theatre similar to IMAX. If you have kids, this is the place to go between sessions. The Zoo is kind of average and the Cowboy Hall of Fame is interesting if you're unfamiliar with the history and culture of the West.

National Memorial - Downtown
Oklahoma City Museum of Art - Downtown
Omniplex - near softball complex
Cowboy Hall of Fame - near softball complex
OKC Zoo - near softball complex

What to Do

OKC boasts one of the best minor league ballparks in the country in AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The RedHawks have a homestand that starts May 31. Also, Oklahoma has Indian Casinos. Lots of 'em. The two biggest are Riverwind in Norman (25 minutes south of OKC) and FireLake Grand in Shawnee (25 minutes east of OKC). You won't find craps, but you'll find slots, poker and blackjack.

Oklahoma RedHawks - downtown - homestand starts May 31
Remington Park - horse racing and casino - near softball complex
Frontier City - amusement park - Northeast OKC on I-35
White Water Bay - water park - west of downtown on I-40
Chesapeak Boathouse - rowing and kayaking - downtown
Riverwind Casino - Norman
FireLake Grand Casino - Shawnee

Where to Eat

If you stay downtown, you'll find plenty of chain restaurants on the canal like Zio's (Italian), Chelino's (Tex-Mex) and Hooters. But there are plenty of others worth checking out.

Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse - on the canal - upscale dining
The Mantel - Sherridan and Mickey Mantle - great for lunch
Bourbon Street Cafe - Cajun food on the canal - my favorite restaurant in OKC
Crabtown - on Sherridan in Bricktown - seafood
County Line - near softball complex - BBQ

If you're feeling adventurous, you can stop by my mom's restaurant, Deer Creek BBQ in Edmond. It's on the corner of MacArthur and Covell. It's about a 20 minute drive from downtown, but if you E-mail me before you show up, I'll be sure you enjoy a free meal.

Where to Drink

If you're downtown, you'll want to go to Bricktown. It's where most of the nightlife is. If you're 21-35 and a douchebag, you'll want to go to Skyy Bar, above Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse. If you're looking for a more relaxed atmosphere with a large beer list and live music on the weekends, you'll want to go to TapWerks. If you want a sports bar, Coach's and Bricktown Brewery are where you'll want to go. And if you're looking for cougars (or are a cougar), Drinkz is your spot.

Road to OKC: WCWS Information

2008 Women's College World Series
Oklahoma City
Don E. Porter ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
May 29-June 4

Resources
HokieSports.com WCWS Page
NCAA Softball
WCWS Bracket
All College Assn WCWS Page
Tickets
Map to Stadium

Schedule
All Times Local (CDT)
Double elimination

May 29
Game 1 - Florida vs. UL Lafayette - Noon - ESPN
Game 2 - Texas A&M vs. Virginia Tech - 2 p.m. - ESPN
Game 3 - Alabama vs. Arizona State - 6 p.m. - ESPN
Game 4 - Arizona vs. UCLA - 8 p.m. - ESPN

May 30
Game 5 - Winner G1 vs. Winner G2 - 6 p.m. - ESPN2
Game 6 - Winner G3 vs. Winner G4 - 8 p.m. - ESPN2

May 31
Game 7 - Loser G1 vs. Loser G2 - 11 a.m. - ESPN
Game 8 - Loser G3 vs. Loser G4 - 1 p.m. - ESPN
Game 9 - Winner G7 vs. Loser G6 - 6 p.m. - ESPN
Game 10 - Winner G8 vs. Loser G6 - 8 p.m. - ESPN

June 1
Game 11 - Winner G5 vs. Winner G9 - Noon - ESPN
Game 12 - Winner G6 vs. Winner G10 - 2 p.m. - ESPN
Game 13 - Game 11 rematch if necessary - 6 p.m. - ESPN2
Game 14 - Game 12 rematch if necessary - 8 p.m. - ESPN2

Championship Series (Best of 3)
June 2 - Game 1 - 7 p.m. - ESPN2
June 3 - Game 2 - 7 p.m. - ESPN2
June 4 - Game 3 (if necessary) - 7 p.m. - ESPN2

Road to OKC: Hokies punch their ticket

The Hokies are coming back to OKC. Virginia Tech has advanced to the Women's College World Series by beating Michigan 1-0 and 6-1 Sunday in Ann Arbor. The WCWS begins Thursday at Don E. Porter ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, the same site of Virginia Tech's 1-0 win over Team USA in March.

In the first game Sunday, Tech scored an unearned run in the first inning on a throwing error by Michigan catcher Roya St. Clair. Angela Tincher made the run hold up by striking out 15 Wolverines. In the decisive game, Tech scored four runs in the third inning off Michigan pitchers Nikki Nimitz and Jordan Taylor.

Taylor and the rest of the Wolverines lost their composure after they felt Taylor was being squeezed by the home plate umpire. She struggled to find the plate and walked in the first run of the game. Taylor and other members of the Michigan team were seen shouting at the umpire while others slammed their gloves to the ground after ball/strike calls did not go their way.

The Hokies, however, maintained their heads and coasted to a 6-1 win and a berth in the WCWS. The Hokies looked like the veteran team with a national title under their belts, not the Wolverines.

The Hokies will face Texas A&M in their first game at 3 p.m. EDT Thursday in OKC. Check this blog Tuesday for a preview of the WCWS. I plan on attending all Virginia Tech's games during the tournament and look forward to seeing a lot of Hokies in Oklahoma City this week.

Road to OKC: Super Regional Preview

The Hokies are two wins away from returning to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series. After winning the Knoxville Regional with a Metallica-inspired 4-2 win over Tennessee Sunday, the Hokies travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., for a best-of-three series with the Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan has become a softball powerhouse the last few years. However, they have not made the WCWS since winning the national championship in 2005. They have lost in a Super Regional each of the last two seasons. However, this season is different because for the first time since 2005, the Wolverines are hosting the Super Regional.

The Wolverines are the No. 4 national seed in the NCAA Tournament and ranked No. 6 in the coaches poll.

Michigan Wolverines (51-6)

How they got here: Earned an at-large bid out of the Big Ten conference and were given the No. 4 national seed in the tournament. Michigan went 3-0 in the Ann Arbor regional, easily beating Wright State, Notre Dame and Kent State.

Hitting: Michigan features one of the most feared hitters in college softball in 1B Samantha Findlay. She is best known for hitting a championship-winning, three-run home run to beat UCLA in the 10th inning of game three in the championship series as a freshman in 2005. This year, she leads the team in almost every significant statistical category including hitting (.401), home runs (21) and RBIs (69). At the end of the regular season, the Wolverines were batting .302, 29th in the NCAA. Their 5.39 runs per game is ranked 24th.

Pitching: Michigan finished the regular season with the best pitching staff in the nation with a 0.78 ERA. Freshman Jordan Taylor is 30-3, 0.70 and sophomore Nikki Nemitz is 21-3, 0.97. Together, they account for every inning pitched by a Wolverine this season.

Notes: In 2005, became the first school east of the Mississippi and the first cold-weather school to win the national title...Wolverines are 12-2 at home this season with losses to Northwestern and Iowa.

Analysis

This won't be easy. Expect runs to be at a premium as the best pitcher in the nation (Tech's Angela Tincher) faces the nation's best pitching staff (Taylor and Nemitz). What worries me is that the Michigan pitchers don't give up a lot of home runs. Taylor gave up eight in 210.0 innings and Nemitz gave up four in 174.0 innings. The Hokies tend to score runs on home runs. They scored 10 runs in Knoxville and eight of them came on homers. The Hokies will need to succeed more when playing small ball. They've left a lot of runners on base in the ACC and NCAA Tournaments.

Fair or not, this will probably come down to Tincher. She's not going to have a lot of room for error and one run may be too many for the Hokie offense to compensate for. The key will be every time Tincher faces Findlay. She's drives the Wolverine offense and Tincher has to keep her from doing damage.

The schedule favors Michigan's ability to use two pitchers. The Hokies will likely use Tincher in all three games and if Game 3 is necessary, it will mean she has to pitch three games in two days.

Schedule

Hokies at Michigan Wolverines
Wilpon Complex at Alumni Field
Ann Arbor, Mich.
All Times EDT

Game 1 - Sat., May 24 - Noon (ESPN)
Game 2 - Sun., May 25 - 1 p.m. (ESPN)
Game 3 - Sun., May 25 - 3 p.m. (If necessary - ESPN)

Super Regional Information
NCAA Tournament Bracket

Road to OKC: Knoxville Regional Preview

The Hokies begin their quest for the Women's College World Series this weekend in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee hosts Tech, Louisville and Winthrop May 16-18 for the right to advance to a Super Regional against the winner of the Ann Arbor Regional.

The road to Oklahoma City will be a tough one for the Hokies. Their region is full of solid teams. It will take an outstanding effort from Angela Tincher and timely hitting from the Hokies' batting order to advance out of Knoxville.

This is Tech's fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Hokies have been bounced from the tournament before the regional's final day in each of the previous three seasons.

In 2006, the Hokies were sent to the Knoxville Regional and faced Louisville in the first round. They beat the Cards on day one, 1-0 in 12 innings. However, they lost to Tennessee and Louisville on day two by a combined score of 19-2.

Tennessee (47-14)

How they got here: The Lady Vols received an at-large bid from the SEC. They lost to Florida in the semifinals of the SEC tournament, 6-1.
Hitting: No. 12 in the nation at .317. 1B Tonya Callahan is No. 6 in the country in hitting with a .469 batting average. Callahan has 16 of their 38 home runs this season. She leads Tennessee in home runs and RBIs (61). The Lady Vols are No. 20 in the country in scoring, averaging 5.58 runs per game.
Pitching: No. 40 in the country in ERA at 2.05. The good news is Monica Abbott has graduated and moved on to Team USA. However, Tennessee still has a solid pitcher in Ashton Ward, who is 27-5, 1.94 this season.
Notes: The Lady Vols are seeking their fourth consecutive trip to Oklahoma City...they are 26-6 at home this season, 18-0 in non-conference home games.

Louisville (30-21)

How they got here: The Cards received an at-large bid out of the Big East conference. They lost to USF, 2-1, in the semifinals of the Big East tournament.
Hitting: Not ranked at .270. They are No. 77 in the country in scoring at 4.37 runs per game. Their leading hitter is C Melissa Roth at .361. She is also their biggest threat on the basepaths, successful on nine of 11 stolen base attempts. Freshman 3B Chelsea Bemis leads the Cards in RBIs with 49. No other player has more than 26.
Pitching: No. 83 in the country with a 2.61. Their ace is Kristen Wadwell at 18-13, 2.19.
Notes: 14-10 in road and neutral games...this is their fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Winthrop (36-17)

How they got here: Automatic berth as the Big South champion. Beat Liberty, 6-1, in the Big South championship game.
Hitting: No. 66 in the country at .282. No. 68 in scoring with 4.44 runs per game. OF Lisa Kingsmore is No. 9 in the nation in hitting at .459. She is second on the team in RBIs with 30 behind 3B Mallory Hogan's 49.
Pitching: No. 20 in the nation with a 1.50. Sophomore Megan Evans is No. 38 in the country in ERA with a 1.32. She is 18-6 this season.
Notes: 17-12 in road and neutral games...lost to Virginia Tech, 3-0, in the championship game of the Hokies United Memorial Tournament in Botetourt, Va., Feb. 24.

Schedule (all times EDT)
Friday, May 16
Game 1 - 2:30 - Virginia Tech vs. Louisville
Game 2 - 5:00 - Tennessee vs. Winthrop
Saturday, May 17
Game 3 - Noon - Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 (ESPN2)
Game 4 - 2:30 - Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 5 - 5:00 - Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Sunday, May 18
Game 6 - 1:30 - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5
Game 7 - 4:00 - Rematch of Game 6 (if necessary)

Regional Information from UTSports.com
NCAA Tournament Bracket
ESPN Preview

Off Topic: D3 WCWS in Salem

The D3 WCWS will be played in Salem, Va., May 16-20. Lynchburg College (39-6) has advanced to the D3 WCWS as the No. 2 seed in the tournament. The Hornets will face Muskingum at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Road to OKC: ESPN takes advantage of Tincher hype

If you watched ESPNU's coverage of the NCAA Lacrosse Tournament over the weekend, you saw Angela Tincher's face a lot during halftime and between games. The network ran a feature on Virginia Tech's softball win over Team USA several times during the weekend, especially on Sunday after the Hokies won the ACC softball tournament.

The game has rebroadcast several times on ESPN2, giving the country a glimpse at the Hokie program's greatest moment. Now, the Hokies have another chance to appear on the network.

If the Hokies beat Louisville Friday in the first round of their NCAA regional in Knoxville, they will face the winner of Tennessee-Winthrop. That game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 at noon EDT Saturday.

It is one of three regional games scheduled for ESPN2 this weekend. Games six and seven from Tuscaloosa will also be shown live. ESPNU has coverage of every game from the UCLA regional.