The Oklahoma Sooners and Florida State Seminoles clash in the best-of-three championship series

The GIST: The WCWS championship matchup is set, and it’s giving 2021 déjà vu — the two-time defending champs No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners and No. 3 Florida State Seminoles will meet in the best-of-three series, beginning tonight with Game 1 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Prep that game face.

How they got here: Mighty Oklahoma needed nine innings and a birthday double from new WCWS RBI record-holder Tiare Jennings to overcome No. 9 Stanford 4–2 on Monday and keep their three-peat hopes — and ever-increasing record win streak — alive.

• As for the ’Noles, the bottom of their order came through in their Monday semifinal: Making a rare starting lineup appearance, Bethaney Keen launched her only homer of the season to put FSU on top in the third, and Hallie Wacaser’s sixth-inning two-run shot capped their 5–1 win over No. 4 Tennessee. Clutch.

The matchup: While Oklahoma winning their seventh program ’ship may seem inevitable, their recent need for extra innings should give ’Noles fans hope. Plus, FSU lost on the road to the Sooners by just one run on March 14th — while throwing a bullpen game, no less.

• When the pair battled for the 2021 title, Oklahoma needed all three games to snag the natty. But if the Sooner bats are hot, watch out — the run rule is alive and well this year, and Oklahoma already has 28 (!!!) of ’em this season. Unreal.

The difference-makers: With the nation’s best offense, Oklahoma’sentire lineup is dangerous. That said, look for Alyssa Brito, Jayda Coleman, and the aforementioned Jennings to lead the Sooners’ charge. The trio of juniors has 17 dingers each this season, while sophomore ace Jordy Bahl shuts things down in the circle.

• Given OU’s recent stumbles against elite pitching, FSU’s hopes hang on senior Kat Sandercock, who may need to be perfect (again) to give the Seminoles a shot at their second NCAA trophy. Time to believe.