Women's College World Series has some Alabama flavor
Four players hailing from Alabama will be at the WCWS.
The college softball season comes to a crescendo over the next week-plus, as the final eight teams head to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series.
The WCWS kicks off Thursday, running through next Friday (June 6).
While Alabama, Auburn, or any other team from our great state are not in OKC this season, there is still some Alabama flavor at the WCWS.
Oregon’s Katie Flannery, UCLA’s Maggie Daniel, Florida’s Kenleigh Cahalan and Ole Miss’ Abby Herndon will be part of the festivities as the sport takes center stage over the next several days.
Each of the four were high school stars in Alabama for several years. Flannery and Daniel kept Spain Park at an elite level together in that lineup. Cahalan won multiple state championships and took home Miss Softball honors in 2022. Herndon was a three-time all-state honoree, including being named the Class 4A Pitcher of the Year in 2023.
Flannery and Cahalan have had incredible seasons for their squads. Flannery has undoubtedly been one of the best nine-hole hitters in the nation, flipping the lineup at a standout level. She’s hit 11 homers and driven in 49 runs, having started nearly every game at third base.
Cahalan has also shone at third base, moving back to the hot corner after playing shortstop the last two years at Alabama. Cahalan is headed to OKC for the third time in three years, having made it the last two years with the Crimson Tide as well. Cahalan also has 49 RBIs, hitting 10 homers and entering the World Series with a .307 batting average.
Daniel has started 30 games for the Bruins, hitting a pair of home runs in her freshman season.
Herndon is recovering from injury and taking advantage of a redshirt this season.
The Women’s College World Series begins Thursday, as all eight teams are slated to play. The tournament will run through June 5 or 6 depending on the final series. All games can be seen on the ESPN family of networks.
(Photos courtesy of University of Florida, UCLA, University of Oregon and University of Mississippi.)