Softball fans will have to wait a little longer for the start of the highly anticipated showdown between Oklahoma and Florida State.
MORE: Live updates, highlights from Women's College World Series final
Lightning in Oklahoma City has delayed the start of Wednesday's Game 1 in the Women's College World Series finals. Fans in the stands at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex were told 45 minutes before the scheduled game time to take shelter.
⚡️ LIGHTNING ALERT ⚡️
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 7, 2023
Due to lightning in the area all fans in attendance must evacuate @USASoftball Hall of Fame Stadium and return to their vehicles.
Please stay tuned for further updates.#WCWS pic.twitter.com/l02Tuk4ieS
The two teams were scheduled to begin play at 8 p.m. ET. And after the game was able to resume at 9:10 p.m. ET, it was again postponed after just four outs.
MORE: What to know about FSU star Michaela Edenfield's unique makeup
Here's what you need to know about the weather delay, and when the game could potentially get underway.
MORE: Oklahoma softball players 'unapologetic' about big celebrations
Women's College World Series weather updates
(All times Eastern)
9:46 p.m.: Oklahoma and Florida State are scheduled to resume their game at 10:02 p.m. ET.
Tonight's game will resume at 10:02 PM ET.#WCWS pic.twitter.com/LvSixhHodr
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 8, 2023
9:21 p.m.: The game was able to get through the top half of the first and one out in the bottom of the first before another lightning alert sent fans to the exits. No word as to when the NCAA expects to resume the contest.
⚡️ LIGHTNING ALERT ⚡️
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 8, 2023
Due to lightning in the area we have entered a lightning delay in the bottom of the 1st inning and all fans in attendance must evacuate @USASoftball Hall of Fame Stadium and return to their vehicles.
Please stay tuned for further updates.#WCWS pic.twitter.com/gxmOuDrS57
8:27 p.m.: Wednesday's game will begin at 9:10 p.m. ET, according to the NCAA.
First pitch will be 9:10 PM ET. Gates to @USASoftball Hall of Fame Stadium will reopen shortly.#WCWS pic.twitter.com/dUf0qTpHWk
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 8, 2023
8:20 p.m.: The NCAA said the game remains in a weather delay without providing a timetable for when the game could officially start. The forecast has not changed much, with the National Weather Service still reporting a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
We continue to be in a lightning delay and are monitoring the weather.
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) June 8, 2023
Please stay tuned for further updates.#WCWS https://t.co/M7iIh7k6Lz
7:45 p.m.: The National Weather Service said there is a 20 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms before 10 p.m. CT (11 p.m. ET), but Damon Lane, chief meteorologist for Oklahoma television station KOCO, expressed optimism that storms in the area were weakening.
6:35pm Update : #wcws Storms are now weakening in Western Oklahoma County. They still have some lightning pic.twitter.com/XyVU8HTtqB
— Damon Lane (@KOCOdamonlane) June 7, 2023
7:30 p.m.: Storms are expected to be in the area before dissipating as the evening gets closer to sunset, according to the National Weather Service in Norman, Okla.
630 PM RADAR UPDATE - Scattered showers and storms continue across the area with a continue risk for small hail, gusty winds, and lightning. Storms are expected to dissipate over the next couple hours as the sun sets. #okwx #texomawx #txwx pic.twitter.com/cfc9ZmWda4
— NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) June 7, 2023