ncaa softball world series


The finals of the Women's College World Series will begin Monday night with a matchup of the national player of the year and the No. 1 team in the nation.

Ace pitcher Danielle Lawrie will lead Washington into the best-of-three championship series against top-seeded Florida as both schools pursue their first NCAA softball title.

Third-seeded Washington (49-12) will be playing for the championship for the third time in school history and the first time since 1999.

Florida (63-3) is making only its second appearance at the World Series and made it to the championship round for the first time.

Lawrie outdueled Gators ace Stacey Nelson and threw a two-hit shutout as Washington beat Florida 1-0 in nine innings in the teams' only meeting this season in February.