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Why Duke softball will, and won’t reach Women’s College World Series

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Duke softball will compete in an NCAA super regional for the third year in a row. 

The 10th-seeded Blue Devils (50-6) swept through the NCAA Tournament’s Durham Regional with wins against Morgan State and South Carolina to secure a spot in a best-of-three series at Missouri (47-16). 

“I mean we have the same team, plus a couple extra coming back for (super regionals). I think that is really great,” senior catcher Francesca Frelick said after the Blue Devils’ 10-1 win against the Gamecocks on Sunday. 

“The experience is there. The fire under us is there. I think we have a really good shot, and I think we are ready to go.”

After losing their first game in the regional, the seventh-seeded Tigers rebounded with four wins in a row to advance, including two on Sunday.

DOMINANT DEVILS: Duke softball run-rules South Carolina, advances to Durham Regional finals with walk-off win

The Columbia Super Regional starts Friday at 2 p.m. ET (ESPN2), with the second game scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. The winner will advance to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, which begins May 30.

Duke, which started its softball program in 2016, is aiming for its first Women’s College World Series appearance.

Here are two reasons why Duke softball will make it to Oklahoma City and two reasons it won’t: 

Duke pitchers Jala Wright, Cassidy Curd are elite

The Blue Devils allowed two runs during their dominant run through the Durham Regional. Duke hasn’t allowed more than three runs in a game since a 4-3 loss to Virginia on April 20 and has allowed four or more runs in just nine of its 56 games. The Devils have the third-best ERA (1.50) in the nation, paced by the powerful duo of senior Jala Wright (19-1, 1.09 ERA) and sophomore Cassidy Curd (11-3, 1.44 ERA). 

The Blue Devils’ offense is hot behind Claire Davidson 

Duke scored 24 runs across three games in the regional, recording at least six runs in each of their victories; it’s the Blue Devils’ best stretch at the plate since late March into early April. Claire Davidson, a senior, went 8-for-12 with six RBIs. Duke used an eight-run seventh inning in the regional finale to close the door on South Carolina. 

Missouri’s at home and has the history 

The Tigers haven’t advanced to the Women’s College World Series since 2011, but they have seven appearances. Missouri’s history, along with its hunger to get back to that stage and a homefield advantage, could help the Tigers. Duke hasn’t won a super regional game in its previous two appearances, losing to Stanford in Durham last season after dropping two games at UCLA in 2022. 

Tigers’ pitcher Laurin Krings could end Duke’s run

Duke’s superb pitching shouldn’t overshadow the efforts of Missouri senior Laurin Krings, who started four games in the Columbia Regional. Krings had a season-high 15 strikeouts in the clincher, finishing the weekend with 24 strikeouts and three runs allowed in 25 innings. If she keeps that up, Missouri could end the Devils’ season. 

NCAA softball: Columbia Super Regional prediction 

Duke softball advances to its first WCWS: The Blue Devils felt like they were snubbed on Selection Sunday by not being given the opportunity to host a super regional as a top-8 seed. Duke seemed to channel that anger with an impressive effort in the Durham Regional. As they head to Missouri, the Blue Devils will continue to lean on that prove-it mentality. Duke’s pitching an opportunistic offense will carry the program to its first Women’s College World Series. 

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.

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