2025 NCAA Division I softball tournament

Last updated

2025 NCAA Division I
softball tournament
Teams64
Finals site
Champions Texas  (1st title)
Runner-up Texas Tech (1st WCWS Appearance)
Winning coach Mike White  (1st title)
MOP Teagan Kavan (Texas)
Attendance119,778
Television ABC
ESPN
ESPN2
ESPNU
ESPN+

The 2025 NCAA Division I softball tournament was held from May 16 through June 6, 2025, as the final part of the 2025 NCAA Division I softball season. The tournament ended with the 2025 Women's College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City [1] Texas defeated Texas Tech during the 2025 Women's College World Series to win their first national championship in program history. [2]

Contents

Belmont, Mercer, North Florida, Saint Louis, and Santa Clara made their NCAA Division I softball tournament debuts. [3] The Southeastern Conference (SEC) had an NCAA tournament record 14 teams selected for the tournament. [4]

The No. 1 overall seed, Texas A&M, was defeated by Liberty in the College Station regional. This marked the first time a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament failed to advance to the Super Regionals since the NCAA tournament began seeding in 2005. [5]

Format

A total of 64 teams entered the tournament, with 31 of them receiving an automatic bid by either winning their conference's tournament or by finishing in first place in their conference. The remaining 33 bids were at-large, with selections extended by the NCAA Selection Committee. [6]

There are two rounds of the NCAA Division I softball tournament, Regionals and Super Regionals, followed by the Women's College World Series. [7] Each regional round follows a four-team, double-elimination format. Winners of regional rounds compete in best-of-three Super Regional series to determine the eight teams that advance to the Women's College World Series. The World Series also follows a double-elimination format followed by a best-of-three finals series to determine the winner. [8]

Bids

The West Coast Conference bid was awarded to the regular-season champion. All other conferences had their automatic bid go to the conference tournament winner. [9] The SEC championship game was canceled due to inclement weather; Oklahoma received the conference's automatic bid due to being the highest remaining seed in the SEC tournament. [10]

Automatic

ConferenceSchoolNCAA tournament history
Best finishLast appearance
America East Binghamton Regionals (2015) 2015
AAC South Florida WCWS (2012) 2022
ASUN North Florida First appearance
ACC Clemson Super Regionals (2022, 2023) 2024
Atlantic 10 Saint Louis First appearance
Big 12 Texas Tech Regionals (1999, 2001, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2019) 2019
Big East UConn WCWS (1993) 2001
Big Sky Weber State Regionals (2015, 2016, 2019, 2022) 2022
Big South USC Upstate Regionals (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2024) 2024
Big Ten Michigan National champion (2005) 2024
Big West UC Santa Barbara Regionals (2004, 2006, 2007) 2007
CAA Elon Regionals (2010) 2010
CUSA Liberty Regionals (2002, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) 2024
Horizon Robert Morris Regionals (2005) 2005
Ivy League Brown Regionals (1997) 1997
MAAC Marist Regionals (2006, 2013, 2016, 2023) 2023
MAC Miami (OH) Regionals (2005, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) 2024
MEAC Howard Regionals (2007, 2022) 2022
Missouri Valley Belmont First appearance
Mountain West San Diego State Super Regionals (2023) 2024
NEC Saint Francis Regionals (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024) 2024
Ohio Valley Eastern Illinois Regionals (2023) 2023
Patriot Boston University Regionals (1996, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024) 2024
SEC Oklahoma National champion (2000, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) 2024
Southern Mercer First appearance
Southland Southeastern Louisiana Regionals (2024) 2024
SWAC Jackson State Regionals (2011, 2024) 2024
Summit Omaha Regionals (2023, 2024) 2024
Sun Belt Coastal Carolina Regionals (1998, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2012) 2012
WAC Grand Canyon Regionals (2022, 2023, 2024) 2024
West Coast Santa Clara First appearance

At-large

SchoolConferenceNCAA tournament history
Best finishLast appearance
Alabama SECNational champion (2012) 2024
Arizona Big 12National champion (1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2006, 2007) 2024
Arizona State Big 12National champion (2008, 2011) 2022
Arkansas SECSuper Regionals (2018, 2021, 2022) 2024
Auburn SECWCWS Runner-up (2016) 2024
California ACCNational champion (2002) 2024
Duke ACCWCWS (2024) 2024
Florida SECNational champion (2014, 2015) 2024
Florida Atlantic AACRegionals (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2015, 2016, 2024) 2024
Florida State ACCNational champion (2018) 2024
Georgia SECWCWS (2009, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2021) 2024
Georgia Tech ACCSuper Regionals (2009) 2022
Indiana Big TenWCWS (1983, 1986) 2024
Kentucky SECWCWS (2014) 2024
LSU SECWCWS (2001, 2004, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017) 2024
Mississippi State SECSuper Regionals (2022) 2024
Nebraska Big TenWCWS Runner-up (1985 (vacated)) 2023
Northwestern Big TenWCWS Runner-up (2006) 2024
North Carolina ACCRegionals (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019) 2019
Ohio State Big TenSuper Regionals (2009) 2022
Oklahoma State Big 12WCWS (1982, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) 2024
Ole Miss SECSuper Regionals (2017, 2019) 2024
Oregon Big TenWCWS (1989, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018) 2024
South Carolina SECWCWS (1983, 1989, 1997) 2024
Stanford ACCWCWS (2001, 2004, 2023, 2024) 2024
Tennessee SECWCWS Runner-up (2007, 2013) 2024
Texas SECWCWS Runner-up (2022, 2024) 2024
Texas A&M SECNational champion (1983, 1987) 2024
UCF Big 12Super Regionals (2022) 2024
UCLA Big TenNational champion (1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995 (vacated), 1999, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2019) 2024
Virginia ACCRegionals (2010, 2024) 2024
Virginia Tech ACCWCWS (2008) 2024
Washington Big TenNational champion (2009) 2024

By conference

ConferenceTotalSchools
SEC 14Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M
ACC 9California, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Stanford, Virginia, Virginia Tech
Big Ten 8Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, UCLA, Washington
Big 12 5Arizona, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, UCF
American 2Florida Atlantic, South Florida
ASUN 1North Florida
America East 1Binghamton
Atlantic 10 1Saint Louis
Big East 1UConn
Big Sky 1Weber State
Big South 1USC Upstate
Big West 1UC Santa Barbara
CAA 1Elon
CUSA 1Liberty
Horizon 1Robert Morris
Ivy League 1Brown
MAAC 1Marist
MAC 1Miami (OH)
MEAC 1Howard
Missouri Valley 1Belmont
Mountain West 1San Diego State
Northeast 1Saint Francis
Ohio Valley 1Eastern Illinois
Patriot 1Boston University
SoCon 1Mercer
Southland 1Southeastern Louisiana
SWAC 1Jackson State
Summit 1Omaha
Sun Belt 1Coastal Carolina
WAC 1Grand Canyon
West Coast 1Santa Clara

National seeds

Sixteen national seeds were announced on the Selection Show, on Sunday, May 11 at 7 p.m. EDT on ESPN2 and ESPN+. Teams in italics advanced to Super Regionals. Teams in bold advanced to the Women's College World Series. [11]

Regionals and Super Regionals

The Regionals took place May 16–18. The Super Regionals took take place May 22–25.

Eugene Super Regional

Round 1 Round 2 Regional Finals Super Regionals
               
1 Texas A&M 18(5)
Saint Francis 0
1 Texas A&M 5
Liberty 8
Liberty 10
Marist 5
Liberty11 6
College Station Regional – Davis Diamond
1 Texas A&M 14(8)5
Saint Francis 0
Marist 8(6)
1 Texas A&M 17(5)
Marist 4
Liberty 2 1
16 Oregon 3(8)13
16 Oregon 8(5)
Weber State 0
16 Oregon 1
Stanford 14(6)
Stanford 9
Binghamton 2
Stanford 5 7
Eugene Regional – Jane Sanders Stadium
16 Oregon 15(6)10
Weber State 7
Binghamton 4
16 Oregon 9
Weber State 1

Columbia Super Regional

Round 1 Round 2 Regional Finals Super Regionals
               
8 South Carolina 5
Elon 2
8 South Carolina 3
North Florida 0
Virginia 1
North Florida 2
8 South Carolina 8(5)
Columbia Regional – Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field
North Florida 0
Elon 0
Virginia 12
North Florida 6
Virginia 5
8 South Carolina 9 4 0
9 UCLA 2 5 5
9 UCLA 9(6)
UC Santa Barbara 1
9 UCLA 10(6)
San Diego State 0
Arizona State 2
San Diego State 3
9 UCLA 12(5)
Los Angeles Regional – Easton Stadium
UC Santa Barbara 1
UC Santa Barbara 4(10)
Arizona State 3
San Diego State 5
UC Santa Barbara 7(8)

Tallahassee Super Regional

Round 1 Round 2 Regional Finals Super Regionals
               
5 Florida State 10(5)
Robert Morris 1
5 Florida State 8(6)
South Florida 0
Auburn 7
South Florida 12(9)
5Florida State3 4
Tallahassee Regional – JoAnne Graf Field
Auburn 8 0
Robert Morris 3
Auburn 11(5)
South Florida 5
Auburn 7(8)
5 Florida State 0 1
12 Texas Tech 3 2
12 Texas Tech 6
Brown 0
12 Texas Tech 10(6)
Mississippi State 1
Mississippi State 6
Washington 3
12 Texas Tech 9
Lubbock Regional – Rocky Johnson Field
Mississippi State 6
Brown 5
Washington 13(6)
Mississippi State 11
Washington 10

Fayetteville Super Regional

Round 1 Round 2 Regional Finals Super Regionals
               
4 Arkansas 10(5)
Saint Louis 0
4 Arkansas 6(8)
Oklahoma State 5
Oklahoma State 11
Indiana 6
4 Arkansas 12(6)
Fayetteville Regional – Bogle Park
Oklahoma State 0
Saint Louis 2
Indiana 4
Oklahoma State 16(6)
Indiana 8
4 Arkansas 7 4 4
Ole Miss 9 0 7
13 Arizona 13(5)
Santa Clara 5
13 Arizona 8
Ole Miss 10
Ole Miss 7
Grand Canyon 4
Ole Miss1 7
Tucson Regional – Mike Candrea Field at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium
13 Arizona 10(5)3
Santa Clara 4
Grand Canyon 9
13 Arizona 4
Grand Canyon 1

Gainesville Super Regional

Round 1 Round 2 Regional Finals Super Regionals
               
3 Florida 8(5)
Mercer 0
3 Florida 14(5)
Florida Atlantic 6
Florida Atlantic 5(8)
Georgia Tech 4
3 Florida 8(5)
Gainesville Regional – Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium
Mercer 0
Mercer 7
Georgia Tech 3
Florida Atlantic 0
Mercer 7
3 Florida 6 1 5
 Georgia 1 2 2
14 Duke 12(5)
Howard 0
14 Duke 2
Georgia 8
Georgia 6
Coastal Carolina 3
Georgia1 5(8)
Durham Regional – Duke Softball Stadium
14 Duke 8 2
Howard 1
Coastal Carolina 9(5)
14 Duke 16(8)
Coastal Carolina 8

Austin Super Regional

Round 1 Round 2 Regional Finals Super Regionals
               
6 Texas 10(5)
Eastern Illinois 2
6 Texas 16(5)
Michigan 4
UCF 3
Michigan 4
6 Texas 9
Austin Regional – Red and Charline McCombs Field
UCF 0
Eastern Illinois 2
UCF 10(5)
Michigan 8
UCF 10
6 Texas 4 7(10)6
11 Clemson 7 5 5
11 Clemson 10(5)
USC Upstate 2
11 Clemson 1(9)
Northwestern 0
Kentucky 0
Northwestern 4
11 Clemson 5
Clemson Regional – McWhorter Stadium
Kentucky 1
USC Upstate 0
Kentucky 11(6)
Northwestern 3
Kentucky 8

Knoxville Super Regional

Round 1 Round 2 Regional Finals Super Regionals
               
7 Tennessee 17(5)
Miami (OH) 0
7 Tennessee 4
Ohio State 2
Ohio State 9
North Carolina 6
7 Tennessee 5
Knoxville Regional – Sherri Parker Lee Stadium
Ohio State 0
Miami (OH) 4
North Carolina 3
Ohio State 11(5)
Miami (OH) 1
7 Tennessee 2 3 1
Nebraska 5 2 0
10 LSU 3
Southeastern Louisiana 4
Southeastern Louisiana 1
Nebraska 14(5)
Nebraska 10(6)
UConn 2
Nebraska 8(6)
Baton Rouge Regional – Tiger Park
Southeastern Louisiana 0
10 LSU 3
UConn 0
Southeastern Louisiana 8
10 LSU 7

Norman Super Regional

Round 1 Round 2 Regional Finals Super Regionals
               
2 Oklahoma 8(5)
Boston University 0
2 Oklahoma 11(5)
California 2
California 1
Omaha 0
2 Oklahoma 12(5)
Norman Regional – Love's Field
California 1
Boston University 1
Omaha 3
California 4
Omaha 0
2 Oklahoma 3 13(5)
15 Alabama 0 2
15 Alabama 8(5)
Jackson State 0
15 Alabama 4
Virginia Tech 3
Virginia Tech 5
Belmont 0
15 Alabama 3
Tuscaloosa Regional – Rhoads Stadium
Virginia Tech 2
Jackson State 1
Belmont 2
Virginia Tech 11(6)
Belmont 1

Women's College World Series

The Women's College World Series was held May 29 through June 6 in Oklahoma City.

Participants

SchoolConferenceRecord (conference)Head coachWCWS appearances†
(including 2025 WCWS)
WCWS best finish†*WCWS W–L record†
(excluding 2025 WCWS)
Florida SEC 48–15 (14–10) Tim Walton 13
(last: 2024)
1st
(2014, 2015)
30–22
Ole Miss SEC 41–19 (11–13) Jamie Trachsel 1
(last: First appearance)
First appearance0–0
Oklahoma SEC 50–7 (17–7) Patty Gasso 18
(last: 2024)
1st
(2000, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
53–24
Oregon Big Ten 53–8 (19–3) Melyssa Lombardi 7
(last: 2018)
3rd
(2014, 2017)
7–12
Tennessee SEC 45–14 (15–9) Karen Weekly 9
(last: 2023)
2nd
(2007, 2013)
17–16
Texas SEC 51–11 (16–8) Mike White 8
(last: 2024)
2nd
(2022, 2024)
14–15
Texas Tech Big 12 50–12 (20–4) Gerry Glasco 1
(last: First appearance)
First appearance0–0
UCLA Big Ten 54–11 (17–5) Kelly Inouye-Perez 33
(last: 2024)
1st
(1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990,
1992, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2010, 2019)
108–42

Bracket

First round Second round Semifinals Finals
               
2 Oklahoma 4
7 Tennessee 3
2 Oklahoma 2
6 Texas 4
3 Florida 0
6 Texas 3
6 Texas 2
7 Tennessee 0
7 Tennessee 11(5)
3 Florida 3
9 UCLA 4
7 Tennessee 5(9)
6 Texas 2 3 10
12 Texas Tech 1 4 4
9 UCLA 4
16 Oregon 2
9 UCLA 1
12 Texas Tech 3
12 Texas Tech 1
Ole Miss 0
12 Texas Tech 3
2 Oklahoma 2
16 Oregon 6(10)
Ole Miss 5
2 Oklahoma 4
16 Oregon 1

Game results

Date [12] GameWinning teamScoreLosing teamWinning pitcherLosing pitcherSaveNotes
May 29Game 1 Texas 3–0 Florida Teagan Kavan (25–5) Keagan Rothrock (16–7) Boxscore
Game 2 Oklahoma 4–3 Tennessee Sam Landry (24–4) Karlyn Pickens (24–10) Boxscore
Game 3 Texas Tech 1–0 Ole Miss NiJaree Canady (31–5)Aliyah Binford (11–4) Boxscore
Game 4 UCLA 4–2 Oregon Kaitlyn Terry (20–5)Elise Sokolsky (17–5) Boxscore
May 30Game 5Tennessee11–3 (5)FloridaErin Nuwer (6–4)Kara Hammock (9–2)Florida eliminated
Boxscore
Game 6Oregon6–5 (10)Ole MissLyndsey Grein (30–2)Aliyah Binford (11–5)Ole Miss eliminated
Boxscore
May 31Game 7Texas4–2OklahomaTeagan Kavan (26–5)Sam Landry (24–5) Boxscore
Game 8Texas Tech3–1UCLANiJaree Canady (32–5)Taylor Tinsley (15–5) Boxscore
June 1Game 9Tennessee5–4 (9)UCLAKarlyn Pickens (25–10)Taylor Tinsley (15–6)UCLA eliminated
Boxscore
Game 10Oklahoma4–1OregonSam Landry (25–5)Lyndsey Grein (30–3)Oregon eliminated
Boxscore
June 2Game 11Texas2–0TennesseeMac Morgan (11–4)Karlyn Pickens (25–11)Teagan Kavan (4)Tennessee eliminated
Boxscore
Game 13Texas Tech3–2OklahomaNiJaree Canady (33–5)Sam Landry (25–6)Oklahoma eliminated
Boxscore
Finals
June 4Game 1Texas2–1Texas TechTeagan Kavan (27–5)NiJaree Canady (33–6)Texas 1–0
June 5Game 2Texas Tech4–3TexasNiJaree Canady (34–6)Cambria Salmon (7–2)Tied 1–1
June 6Game 3Texas10–4Texas TechTeagan Kavan (28–5)NiJaree Canady (34–7)Texas wins WCWS

Finals

Game 1

June 4, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. (CDT) at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Team1234567 R H E
Texas Tech0000100130
Texas000002x244
WP: Teagan Kavan (27–5)   LP: NiJaree Canady (33–6)
Attendance: 12,109
Boxscore

Game 2

June 5, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. (CDT) at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Team1234567 R H E
Texas0000012362
Texas Tech000022x451
WP: NiJaree Canady (34–6)   LP: Cambria Salmon (7–2)
Home runs:
TEX: Mia Scott
TTU: None
Attendance: 12,220
Boxscore

Game 3

June 6, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. (CDT) at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Team1234567 R H E
Texas Tech0000301482
Texas501400x10123
WP: Teagan Kavan (28–5)   LP: NiJaree Canady (34–7)
Home runs:
TTU: None
TEX: Leighann Goode, Mia Scott
Attendance: 12,269
Boxscore

All-tournament Team

The following players were members of the Women's College World Series All-Tournament Team.

PositionPlayerSchool
PAliyah BinfordOle Miss
NiJaree Canady Texas Tech
Teagan Kavan (MOP)Texas
Sam Landry Oklahoma
Karlyn Pickens Tennessee
INF Reese Atwood Texas
Joley MitchellTexas
Taylor PannellTennessee
Mia ScottTexas
OFMihyia DavisTexas Tech
Katie StewartTexas
DPElla ParkerOklahoma

Record by conference

Conference# of BidsRecordWin %RFSRWSNSFNC
SEC 1461–33.6491395311
Big 12 516–10.61541111
Big Ten 823–18.561432
ACC 916–19.45762
CUSA 13–3.50011
ASUN 12–2.5001
Big West 12–2.5001
SoCon 12–2.5001
Southland 12–2.5001
American 22–4.333
Big Sky 11–2.333
MAAC 11–2.333
MAC 11–2.333
Missouri Valley 11–2.333
Mountain West 11–2.333
Summit 11–2.333
Sun Belt 11–2.333
WAC 11–2.333
America East 10–2.000
Atlantic 10 10–2.000
Big East 10–2.000
Big South 10–2.000
CAA 10–2.000
Horizon 10–2.000
Ivy League 10–2.000
MEAC 10–2.000
NEC 10–2.000
Patriot 10–2.000
Ohio Valley 10–2.000
SWAC 10–2.000
West Coast 10–2.000

Media coverage

Radio

For the fifth consecutive year, Westwood One will provide nationwide radio coverage of every game in the tournament. Ryan Radtke and Leah Amico will return as two of the broadcasters.

Television

ESPN held exclusive rights to the tournament. The network aired games across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN+, SEC Network and ACC Network. For the eighth time in the history of the women's softball tournament, ESPN covered every regional. [13]

Broadcast assignments

References

  1. "Softball Division I Championship". NCAA.com. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  2. Shirley, Daniel (May 11, 2025). "Women's College World Series championship: Texas beats Texas Tech for program's first national title". The Athletic . Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  3. "NCAA DI Softball Committee announces 2025 championship field". NCAA.com. May 11, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  4. "14 SEC teams to compete in 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament". secsports.com. May 11, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  5. Gillenwater, Sam (May 18, 2025). "No. 1 Texas A&M becomes NCAA softball's first top seed to lose in Regionals after Liberty shocker". on3.com. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  6. "All 31 automatic qualifiers for the 2025 DI softball tournament". NCAA.com. May 11, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  7. "How the Women's College World Series Works". NCAA.com. May 19, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  8. Curtright, Austin (May 11, 2025). "NCAA softball tournament format: How bracket works in 2025". USAToday.com. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
  9. Kassim, Ehsan (May 4, 2025). "When is the Women's College World Series 2025? Important dates for NCAA Tournament, WCWS". Knoxville News Sentinel . Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  10. "Oklahoma, Texas A&M named 2025 SEC Softball Tournament Co-Champions". secsports.com. May 10, 2025. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  11. "2025 NCAA softball bracket: Women's College World Series scores, schedule". NCAA.com. April 16, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  12. "2025 NCAA softball bracket: Women's College World Series scores, schedule". NCAA.com. May 30, 2025. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 Callahan, Katie (May 13, 2025). "Batter Up: ESPN Presents Every Pitch of the NCAA Softball Regionals on the #RoadToWCWS". espnpressroom.com. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  14. 1 2 Callahan, Katie (May 19, 2025). "#RoadtoWCWS Continues as ESPN Carries Every Pitch From NCAA Softball Super Regionals". espnpressroom.com. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Callahan, Katie (May 26, 2025). "OKC Bound: ESPN Presents Exclusive Coverage of the NCAA Women's College World Series". espnpressroom.com. Retrieved May 26, 2025.