NCAA Softball Regional Final Game Thread: Washington vs. Michigan

A walk-off three-run homer by junior DP Julia DePonte gave the Huskies a 12-4 run-rule victory yesterday against Michigan. The Wolverines bounced back to eliminate Fresno State 4-0 to return to the regional final today, but the Huskies are in the driver’s seat, needing just 1 win today and having two chances to get it, if needed.

Schedule

4 PM, ESPN3 (for certain) and ESPNU (probably, but rain delays/extra innings in other games can cause channel adjustments - see @UWSoftball and/or @Umichsoftball on Twitter for latest updates on channel assignments. Could end up on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, or only online, depending on what happens)

Note: Due to postseason games being “neutral-site” games regardless of actual location, “home” and “road” assignments rotate between teams. For the 4:00 game today, Michigan will bat second and serve as the “home” team. If the second game needs to be played, the teams would switch roles and the Huskies would be the “home” team.

If Washington wins game 1, the Wolverines are eliminated and the Huskies advance to host (11) Utah in the Super Regional round next weekend. If Michigan wins game 1, a second game would be played, beginning 30 minutes after the end of the first one. That game would be on ESPN3, and perhaps as well on a physical ESPN channel to be determined based on how many “if-necessary” games are needed.

Matchup

This hasn’t been announced for certain, and probably won’t be until game time, but I would be shocked if the pitching matchup is anything besides Taran Alvelo vs. Megan Betsa.

I’ll be at the game, both tweeting and commenting on here. Come out to the ballpark to cheer on the team, or follow along on ESPNU/ESPN3. Go Huskies!