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- Up to 112 Total Games Across Four Days
- Oregon Ducks Enter as No.1 Seed; Reigning National Champions Oklahoma Sooners No. 4 Seed
- Added Elements: Bases Loaded, Rally Cap, 7Innings Podcast, espnW
For the second year, ESPN will cover every game from all 16 regional sites of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship, providing softball fans with up to 112 games on ESPN networks from Thursday, May 17, to Sunday, May 20. Games will be available on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, and ESPN3.
Continuing its longstanding commitment to the sport of college softball, ESPN will televise every game from the Super Regionals and Women’s College World Series (WCWS) for the 12th and 18th consecutive season, respectively.
The 2018 NCAA Division I Softball Championship Field
The field of 64 teams—determined by the NCAA Division I Softball Committee—was announced Sunday, May 13, on ESPN’s NCAA Softball Championship Selection Special Presented by Capital One. The top-16 seeded teams will serve as hosts with regional play taking place on their home fields. Each regional is a four-team, double-elimination tournament with one team advancing to the Super Regional Round (May 24-27), reducing the field of 64 teams to just 16.
The Oregon Ducks take over as the No. 1 seed in the championship after the No. 2 seed Florida Gators held the top spot for the years prior. The remaining teams hosting regionals are: No. 3 UCLA (Los Angeles Regional), No. 4 Oklahoma (Norman Regional), No. 5 Washington (Seattle Regional), No. 6 Florida State (Tallahassee), No. 7 Georgia (Athens Regional), No. 8 Arizona State (Tempe Regional), No. 9 South Carolina (Columbia Regional), No. 10 Tennessee (Knoxville Regional), No. 11 LSU (Baton Rouge Regional), No. 12 Alabama (Tuscaloosa Regional), No. 13 Arkansas (Fayetteville Regional), No. 14 Arizona (Tucson Regional), No. 15 Texas A&M (College Station Regional), No. 16 Kentucky (Lexington Regional).
Shaggin’ Stats
- The SEC received the most bids for the fourth consecutive year with all 13 schools selected, followed by the Pac-12 with seven teams receiving bids.
- Four schools are making their first appearance in the tournament: Boise State, Kennesaw State, Monmouth, and Prairie View.
- National Seeds: 12 of the 16 seeded teams from last year’s tournament return as national seeds this year; Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCLA, and Washington.
- Arkansas and South Carolina will host a regional as a national seed for the first time in program history.
- UCLA will make is 34th tournament appearance—the most of any school.
The A-Team
ESPN’s team of softball analysts includes highly-decorated, former college, professional and Olympic softball players.
- Leah Amico – Los Angeles Regional
- College:Arizona
- Honors:Won three national championships (1993, ’94, ’97), member of goal medal-winning teams at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2004 Athens Olympics
- Carol Bruggeman– Norman Regional
- College:Iowa
- Honors: As a Division I coach at Michigan, Purdue, and Louisville, achieved more than 700 combined wins; All Big-Ten and All-Mideast Region as a player, inducted into the Iowa Softball Association Hall of Fame (1997)
- Jenny Dalton-Hill– Lexington Regional
- College:Arizona
- Honors:National Player of the Year (1996) and Women’s College World Series MVP (’96), Four-time National Champion, winning three as a player (1993, ’94, and ’96) and one as an assistant coach, also with Arizona (1997)
- Leigh Dakich– Tuscaloosa Regional
- College:Toledo
- Honors:Led the Rockets to the WCWS; holds the MAC record for batting average and hits. Former head coach at Bowling Green and Syracuse
- Francesca Enea – Knoxville Regional
- College:Florida
- Honors: National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/Louisville Slugger Second-Team All-American (2008 and 2009); All- Southeastern Conference Second Team (2009); WCWS All-Tournament team (2008).
- Kenzie Fowler– Eugene Regional
- College:Arizona
- Honors: 38-9 record, 1.53 ERA and 371 strikeouts in 284.1 innings as a freshman at Arizona, helping lead the Wildcats to the WCWS Finals
- Amanda Freed – College Station Regional
- College:UCLA
- Honors: National Champion (1999), pitched in the three other WCWS (2000, ’01, ’02, ’03), member of gold medal-winning team at the 2004 Athens Olympics
- Cheri Kempf– Tallahassee Regional
- College:Missouri Western State
- Honors:National Champion, National MVP and played on USA National Team that won the World Cup (1992)
- Commissioner of National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) since 2007
- Danielle Lawrie– Tucson Regional
- College:Washington
- Honors:National Champion (2009), All-American, and played for Canadian National Team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
- Erin Miller – Gainesville Regional
- College:Oklahoma
- Honors: Co-Big 12 Player of the Year (2016); Top 10 Finalist for 2016 Senior Class Award (2016); Two-time National Champion (2013, ’16); All-American (2016)
- Jennie Ritter– Fayetteville Regional
- College:Michigan
- Honors:National Championship (2005), played for USA National Team (2007) in the World Cup and Pan American games
- Amanda Scarborough– Tempe Regional
- College: Texas A&M
- Honors:Two-time All-American (2005, ’07). Only player in Big 12 history to receive Freshman of the Year and Player of Year in same season (2005), played in two WCWS (2007, ’08)
- Michele Smith– Seattle Regional
- College:Oklahoma State
- Honors:Two-time All-American, two time Olympic Gold Medalist (1996, ’00) and eight time Japan Pro League MVP
- Megan Willis– Athens Regional
- College:Texas
- Honors:Two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2006, ‘07); Played in National Fastpitch League
ESPN’s play-by-play commentators will be as follows: Tyler Bender (Los Angeles Regional), Kevin Brown (Gainesville Regional), Cara Capuano (Tallahassee Regional), Eric Collins (Seattle Regional), Tyler Denning (College Station Regional), Ted Enberg (Eugene Regional), Eric Frede (Fayetteville Regional), Tiffany Greene (Tempe Regional), Melissa Lee (Tuscaloosa Regional), Alex Loeb (Athens Regional), Courtney Lyle (Lexington), Mark Neely (Tuscon), Alex Perlman (Knoxville) and Pam Ward (Norman).
Something for Everyone
Bases Loaded
For the fourth consecutive season, ESPN’s NCAA Division I Softball Championship Regional coverage will be enhanced by the addition of the Bases Loaded viewing option—look-ins to multiple live games throughout the day while also providing up-to-the-minute recaps of the full tournament. John Brickley (Friday) and Matt Schick (Saturday and Sunday) will host, with Kayla Braud, who helped lead Alabama to the 2012 WCWS National Championship, will provide the analysis.
Friday, May 18:
Airs from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET on Bases Loaded channel and streamed on ESPN3.
| Time (ET) | Network |
| 2-2:30 p.m. | ESPNU |
| 2-3 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| 4:30-5 p.m. | ESPNU |
Saturday, May 19:
Airs from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Bases Loaded channel and streamed on ESPN3.
| Time (ET) | Network |
| 2.-2:30 p.m. | ESPN and ESPN 2 |
| 4:30-5 p.m. | ESPN and ESPN2 |
| 7-7:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| 9:30-10 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Sunday, May 20:
Airs from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Bases Loaded channel and streamed on ESPN3.
| Time (ET) | Network |
| 2-2:30p.m. | ESPN and ESPN2 |
| 4:30-5 p.m. | ESPNU and ESPN2 |
| 4:30-6 p.m. | ESPN |
| 9-9:30 p.m. | ESPN2 and ESPNU |
**Times for Bases Loaded are subject to change depending on length of games.
Rally Cap
SEC Network’s weekly baseball and softball highlight and analysis show Rally Cap will air Sunday, May 20 at 11 or 11:30 p.m. depending on game scheduling. Softball Analyst Kayla Braud will join host Dari Nowkhah and baseball analyst David Dellucci to bring fans the very best from the softball regionals and the final week of the NCAA Baseball regular season.
7Innings Podcast
Fans can keep up with all of the action thanks to 7Innings, a weekly softball podcast chronicling the Road to the WCWS. Each week ESPN personalities covering the sport shine a spotlight on the teams and players that make the sport so special. The talent line-up includes Beth Mowins, Michele Smith, Jessica Mendoza, Amanda Scarborough, Holly Rowe, Laura Rutledge and Adam Amin.
The most recent edition posted immediately following the NCAA Softball Selection Special Presented By Capital One and is available via iTunes and Google Play. New, full-length, editions will be available every Wednesday leading into the WCWS and as an added bonus, shorter editions called “Extra Innings” will be available every morning of the WCWs.
espnW
espnW will continue to provide in-depth softball coverage throughout the post-season beginning with Graham Hays’ breakdown of the this year’s bracket. Hays will also provide highlights, news and analysis throughout this weekend’s schedule.
ESPN’s 2018 NCAA Division I Softball Schedule
Regional Round (May17-20)
Please Note: All games from the 16 regional sites will be shown on either ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, or ESPN3. As of now, only networks for Thursday and Friday’s games have been determined. Please check espnW’s schedule and results page and NCAA.com for the updated schedule throughout the weekend.
Eugene Regional
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Thu, May 17 | 6 p.m. | BYU vs. Drake | ESPN3 |
| 8:30 p.m. | Albany vs. No. 1 Oregon | ESPN3 | |
| Fri, May 18 | 6 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 8:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 11 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sat, May 19 | 7 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 9:30 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
Lexington Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | Noon | Notre Dame vs. Michigan | ESPN2 |
| 2:30 p.m. | UIC vs. No. 16 Kentucky | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 19 | Noon | Game 3 | TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 5 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | Noon | Game 6 | TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
Tempe Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | 7 p.m. | Ole Miss vs. Long Beach State | ESPN |
| 9:30 p.m. | New Mexico State vs. No. 8 Arizona State | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 19 | 5 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 10 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | 9:30 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 12 a.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
Seattle Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | 9 p.m. | Texas vs. Minnesota | ESPN |
| 11:30 p.m. | Boise State vs. No. 5 Washington | ESPNU | |
| Sat, May 19 | 5 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 10 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | 7 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 9:30 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
Norman Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | 4:30 p.m. | Tulsa vs. Missouri | ESPN3 |
| 7 p.m. | Boston University vs. No. 4 Oklahoma | ESPN2 | |
| Sat, May 19 | 5 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 10 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | 5 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
Los Angeles Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | 8:30 p.m. | Cal State Fullerton vs. Texas State | ESPN3 |
| 11 p.m. | Sacramento State vs. No. 3 UCLA | ESPN2 | |
| Sat, May 19 | 5 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 10 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | 7 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 9:30 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
Tallahassee Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | Noon | Kennesaw State vs. Auburn | ESPN3 |
| 2:30 p.m. | Jacksonville State vs. No. 6 Florida State | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 19 | Noon | Game 3 | TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 5 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | Noon | Game 6 | TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
Knoxville Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | 3 p.m. | Ohio vs. James Madison | ESPN3 |
| 5:30 p.m. | Monmouth vs. No. 10 Tennessee | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 19 | Noon | Game 3 | TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 5 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | 1 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 3:30 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
Baton Rouge Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | 4 p.m. | Houston vs. Louisiana | ESPN3 |
| 6:30 p.m. | Fordham vs. No. 11 LSU | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 19 | 1 p.m. | Game 3 | ESPN3 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Game 4 | ESPN3 | |
| 6 p.m. | Game 5 | ESPN3 | |
| Sun, May 20 | 2 p.m. | Game 6 | ESPN3 |
| 4:30 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | ESPN3 |
Columbia Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | 5 p.m. | Liberty vs. Hofstra | ESPN3 |
| 7:30 p.m. | UNCG vs. No. 9 South Carolina | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 19 | 1 p.m. | Game 3 | ESPN3 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Game 4 | ESPN3 | |
| 6 p.m. | Game 5 | ESPN3 | |
| Sun, May 20 | 4 p.m. | Game 6 | ESPN3 |
| 6:30 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | ESPN3 |
Athens Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | Noon | Northwestern vs. Cal | ESPNU |
| 2:30 p.m. | Harvard vs. No. 7 Georgia | SECN | |
| Sat, May 19 | 2:30 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 5 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | Noon | Game 6 | TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
Tuscaloosa Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | 7 p.m. | Wisconsin vs. Oregon State | ESPN3 |
| 9:30 p.m. | Middle Tennessee vs. No. 12 Alabama | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 19 | 2:30 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 5 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | 2:30 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 5 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
Gainesville Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | 5 p.m. | South Florida vs. Ohio State | ESPNU |
| 7:30 p.m. | Bethune-Cookman vs. No. 2 Florida | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 19 | 2:30 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 5 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | Noon | Game 6 | TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
Fayetteville Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | 2:30 p.m. | Wichita State vs. Oklahoma State | ESPNU |
| 5 p.m. | DePaul vs. No. 13 Arkansas | SECN | |
| Sat, May 19 | 2:30 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 5 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | 2:30 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 5 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
College Station Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | 4:30 p.m. | McNeese vs. Baylor | ESPN3 |
| 7 p.m. | Prairie View vs. No. 15 Texas A&M | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 19 | 2:30 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 5 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | 2:30 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 5 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
Tucson Regional
| Date | Time | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 18 | 9 p.m. | North Dakota State vs. Mississippi State | ESPN2 |
| 11:30 p.m. | Saint Francis vs. No. 14 Arizona | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 19 | 5 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 10 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 20 | 7p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 9:30 p.m. | Game 7 (If Necessary) | TBD |
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