Women's College World Series Game 1 Preview: Texas A&M vs. Florida

Click on the play button above for Gabe's interview with Texas A&M Softball head coach Jo Evans.

There is no victory without a battle.

The Texas A&M softball team has battled all season, and the Aggies are now headed to Oklahoma City to the Women’s College World series for the first time in nine years and the eighth time in school history.

Adrenaline and emotions were high in the Super Regionals against the Tennessee Volunteers, a dynamic which was apparent to fans in the stands and at home.

“What you saw on the TV was the emotional part of it, that's when it all came out in the end. During it, it was very workmanlike for all of us,” said Head Coach Jo Evans.

Game one of the best-of-three game series was rough, but the Aggies fought to keep the series alive in game two, earning the Sunday rubber match.

“The first game was ugly, something that was really frustrating for us. It was the worst game we played all year," lamented Evans. "At one point, I was like 'What in the world is going on here?' I looked at that as an anomaly because it was so extreme. The silver lining was Payton McBride extending that game past 7 innings. That was a really key moment. Game 2 we made some mistakes again, but we were really resilient.”

By defeating Tennessee in the deciding game on Sunday, 5-3, the Aggies punched their ticket to the WCWS where the best of the best will compete for the 2017 national title. Up first for the Aggies in OKC are the top-ranked Florida Gators.

Florida Gators:

The Gators defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Super Regionals (2-1) to punch its ticket to the Women’s College World Series for the eighth year in a row.

In the circle, the Gators starting pitchers Delanie Gourley and Kelly Barnhill have been dominant this season. Barnhill brings in a 24-3 record, with a 0.36 ERA while Gourley has earned a 21-4 record and a 0.67 ERA.

Florida takes the No. 1 spot in the nation in fielding and ERA with .984 percentage and 0.69 ERA.

Head Coach Jo Evans

On Florida…

“They have a great pitching staff. We’re ready, we’re excited. We have a little history with Florida. It’s been fun with them, a fun history. Their pitching staff was there last year, and we scored a bunch of runs off of them. We want our kids to stay calm and handle the big stage.”

Who: Texas A&M (16-7 SEC, 47-11 overall) vs. Florida (20-3 SEC, 55-8 overall)

Where: OGE Energy Field - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

When:  Thursday, 11:00 a.m. CT (ESPN)

If Texas A&M wins they will play Friday, June 2 at 6:00 p.m.

If Texas A&M loses they will play Saturday, June 3 at 11:00 a.m.