Yesterday was like Christmas for softball fans, starting with the news that MLB will make a strategic investment in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) ahead of their debut season next week, followed by a high-octane opening day of the Women’s College World Series (WCWS). Let’s unpack all the latest.

Merry Women’s College World Series (WCWS) eve to all who celebrate — the eight-team NCAA softball championship tournament begins from hallowed Oklahoma City with tomorrow’s four-game opening slate. Here’s everything you need to know before the first pitch is thrown.

More women’s sports, coming right up. After a down-to-the-wire, highlight reel–worthy championship weekend, Amanda Lorenz is your 2024 Athletes Unlimited (AU) softball winner, accumulating 1800 points to claim the fifth annual crown. Diamond’s gotta shine.

Hope you have some extra screens at the ready — not only is today the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony, it’s also the start of the fifth annual Athletes Unlimited (AU) softball season.

All part of a larger movement for women’s sports and softball, here’s everything you need to know about the innovative league. And spoiler alert: there’s nothing soft about it.

No. 2 Oklahoma rewrote the college softball record books once again last night, winning their unprecedented fourth straight national title by beating No. 1 Texas 8–4 in Game 2 of the best-of-three Women’s College World Series (WCWS) championship.

And just like that, the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) championship matchup is set. No. 1 Texas will face three-time defending champs No. 2 Oklahoma in the best-of-three series, a powerhouse Red River Rivalry showdown fitting of the record-setting tourney thus far. These Big 12 foes went 2-2 against each other this year, meaning it’s anyone’s ballgame when Game 1 begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET, with the potentially series-deciding Game 2 tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET. Batter up.

Today’s newsletter has everything you need to know before the first pitch is thrown. Nothing soft about it.

After months of tension, the PGA Tour made a shocking reversal yesterday, joining forces with their rival, the Saudi Arabian–backed LIV Golf, claiming the decision was made in an effort “to unify the game.”