2026 WCWS: Day 5 Preview

Monday will decide the two teams that will play in the Women’s College World Series Championship Series. Will either of the Lone Star State teams make the run through the losers bracket, or will Tennessee and Alabama have a rematch in the WCWS Final?

Tennessee vs. Texas | 12 p.m. ET | ESPN

An If-Necessary game would follow around 30 Minutes after if Texas wins the first game

Previous WCWS Matchup: Tennessee 6, Texas Tech 3

Personally, I believe Sage Mardjetko starts the first game, especially given how she pitched against Texas earlier this week. That said, Texas should be much better prepared to face her this time around. If things go well, Tennessee can turn to Karlyn Pickens out of the bullpen, as the coaching staff has done all season and again against Texas. If Mardjetko has a rough start, the Vols can pivot to Erin Nuwer while keeping Pickens available for a potential second game if needed. This is why Tennessee became so dangerous after reaching the 2-0 side of the bracket: its depth in the circle provides tremendous flexibility and makes the Vols a difficult out, knowing an opponent must beat them twice in back-to-back games.

Mike White will ride Teagan Kavan until he can’t. Kavan didn’t pitch poorly against Tennessee on Thursday, but it was clear she didn’t have her best stuff compared to her outings against Mississippi State and Nebraska. She relied more heavily on her drop ball against the Cornhuskers, and with so much of Tennessee’s offensive production this postseason coming via the long ball, it wouldn’t be surprising to see that approach again on Sunday. The key will be avoiding the free passes that can quickly become damaging when paired with a home run.

If Kavan can help push the game to an if-necessary matchup, it will likely be all hands on deck in the circle. Citlaly Gutierrez could appear in both games if that scenario unfolds, especially if Kavan needs support. Hannah Wells has also emerged as what feels like Texas’ most trusted third option.

For Texas to make a losers’ bracket run and defend its title, the Longhorns will need more production from Reese Atwood and the bottom of the lineup. Kayden Henry and Katie Stewart have delivered in Oklahoma City, but Atwood has just two hits since the start of Super Regionals. Whether it’s Atwood, Wells, or Viviana Martinez, another bat has to step up.

Tennessee Synergy Pitch Splits

RHP Karlyn Pickens: Dropball 50% (34% Whiff Rate) | Rise 25% (38%) | Changeup 13% (45%) | Fastball 11% (29%)

Pickens vs. Texas: Riseball 45% (36% Whiff Rate) | Drop 36% (11%) | Changeup 14% (0%) | Fastball 2% (0%)

RHP Sage Mardjetko: Riseball 35% (32% Whiff Rate) | Drop 35% (32%) | Changeup 15% (35%) | Curve 14% (32%)

Mardjetko vs. Texas: Dropball 46% (15% Whiff Rate) | Rise 34% (36%) | Changeup 14% (0%)

RHP Erin Nuwer: Dropball 57% (29% Whiff Rate) | Rise 29% (33%) | Changeup 6% (28%)

Texas Synergy Pitch Splits

RHP Teagan Kavan: Riseball 69% (28% Whiff Rate) | Drop 17% (22%) | Changeup 14% (38%)

Kavan vs. Tennessee: Riseball 70% (40% Whiff Rate) | Changeup 17% (14%) | Drop 13% (67%)

RHP Citlaly Gutierrez: Dropball 48% (12% Whiff Rate) | Off-Speed Curveball 39% (22%) | Changeup 9% (45%)

Gutierrez vs. Tennessee: Off-Speed Curveball 58% (36% Whiff Rate) | Dropball 34% (18% Whiff Rate) | Changeup 8% (0%)

RHP Hannah Wells: Dropball 67% (23% Whiff Rate) | Curve 27% (29%)

Alabama vs. Texas Tech | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN2

An If-Necessary game would follow around 30 Minutes after if Texas Tech wins the first game

Alabama was in this spot back in 2021. Patrick Murphy went with Lexi Kilfoyl in the first game following Montana Fouts’ perfect game against UCLA. Kilfoyl pitched well, but Florida State won the opener and then jumped on Fouts early on its way to the championship series. Based on that precedent—and the fact that freshman Vic Moten hasn’t made an appearance in Oklahoma City yet—all signs point to Jocelyn Briski starting the first game and trying to finish it there. If Briski doesn’t have it early, Alabama can turn to Moten and still have Briski available for a potential second game.

Kaitlyn Terry is pitching better than NiJaree Canady right now. At this point, it doesn’t really matter, as Texas Tech will need both of them to pull off two wins on Monday. The Red Raiders are coming off back-to-back nine-inning contests, and both Canady and Terry have thrown around 140 pitches over the past two days. Terry was outstanding against UCLA, and I’d imagine she starts the first game, but Gerry Glasco has been using the duo in tandem. Alabama isn’t as powerful as UCLA or Florida, which gave the Red Raiders fits, but between Brooke Wells and Alexis Pupillo there is still plenty of power in the lineup. For Canady, the key will be limiting the damage those bats can do via the home run. Terry needs to recapture the energy she had against the Bruins because her ball was really spinning.

The Texas Tech offense performed well again. However, the Red Raiders have to find a way to capitalize on the opportunities they get against Briski when she leaves pitches up in the zone rather than relying on her drop ball. If that were easy, she wouldn’t be the SEC Pitcher of the Year or the best pitcher remaining in the field. The top half of the order must deliver key hits against Briski if Texas Tech is going to have any chance of winning two games on Monday.

Alabama Synergy Pitch Splits

RHP Jocelyn Briski: Dropball 44% (28% Whiff Rate) | Rise 36% (32%) | Changeup 11% (12%)

RHP Vic Moten: Riseball 54% (28% Whiff Rate) | Drop 45% (32%)

Texas Tech Synergy Pitch Splits

RHP NiJaree Canady: Riseball 48% (34% Whiff Rate) | Curve 27% (22%) | Changeup 17% (39%) | Screw 16% (33%)

LHP Kaitlyn Terry: Riseball 37% (38% Whiff Rate) | Curve 30% (29%) | Screw 13% (25%) | Drop 11% (25%)