The Women’s College World Series is underway

The GIST: The Women’s College World Series (WCWS) is so on. The contenders kicked things off with four games last night — Oklahoma City weather be damned — and put on a show in front of record crowds.

Jayda Coleman shines: The No. 2–seed Oklahoma senior centerfielder shone last night, snagging two runs, one stolen base, and one phenomenal web gem as she led the Sooners to a 9–1 smackdown of No. 10 Duke, their 19th (!!!) consecutive NCAA tournament win.

Kavan wins pitchers’ duel: No. 8 Stanford superstar pitcher NiJaree Canady looked exhausted from carrying her team through the postseason last night, but No. 1 Texas freshman phenom Teagan Kavan tossed a complete-game, one-hit shutout to help the Longhorns secure the 4–0 dub. Stanford now moves to the losers’ bracket, where Canady’s stamina will be pushed to the limit.

Up next: Two teams will be sent packing after tonight’s elimination games: Duke faces No. 14 Alabama at 7 p.m. ET, followed by Stanford vs. No. 5 Oklahoma State at 9:30 p.m. ET, both on ESPN, with the losers of each heading home.

• But there’s no rest for the winners, who will then have to win three straight games before Monday night to make the WCWS finals. No pressure.