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- Oklahoma Sooners Enter as No. 1 Seed
- Up to 112 Games Across ESPN Networks from May 16-19
- Bases Loaded Available Friday-Sunday
For the third consecutive year, ESPN will have every pitch from the 16 regional sites of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship totaling up to 112 games across ESPN Networks from Thursday, May 16, to Sunday, May 19. Games will be available across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, SEC Network, Longhorn Network and ESPN3, with all games accessible via the ESPN App.
Friday’s slate kicks off television coverage with 16 games available—seven on ESPN and ESPN2. An additional nine television games are expected on Saturday and another 11 on Sunday, depending on how each regional progresses. Updates on the television schedule can be found at ncaa.com and on twitter via the NCAA softball twitter handle.
The regionals mark the beginning of ESPN’s post-season coverage which includes televising every game of the Super Regionals and Women’s College World Series (WCWS) for the 13th and 19th consecutive seasons, respectively.
The Field is Set!
The field of 64 was announced Sunday, May 12, on ESPN2 during the NCAA Softball Championship Selection Special Presented by Capital One. Each regional is a four-team, double-elimination tournament with one team advancing to the Super Regional Round (May 23-26), reducing the field of 64 teams to just 16. The top-16 seeded teams serve as regional hosts.
Currently on a 39-game winning streak, the Oklahoma Sooners are the No. 1 seed, followed by No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Washington, No. 4 Florida State, No. 5 Florida, No. 6 Arizona, No. 7 Minnesota, No. 8 Alabama, No. 9 Texas, No. 10 LSU, No. 11 Ole Miss, No. 12 Tennessee, No. 13 Oklahoma State, No. 14 Kentucky, No. 15 Michigan and No. 16 Northwestern.
- The SEC led the way for the fifth consecutive year with all 13 schools receiving bids, including six that will host regionals (Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee). The Big Ten ranks second with six teams receiving bids.
- Two teams have made the tournament for the first time: Detroit Mercy and Seattle University
- Ten of the 16 national seeds from the 2018 tournament are national seeds again this season (Oklahoma, UCLA, Washington, Florida State, Florida, Arizona, Alabama, LSU, Tennessee, Kentucky).
- Minnesota (No. 7) and Ole Miss (No. 11) earned their highest-ever national seeds, while Oklahoma State (No. 13) is a national seed for the first time in program history.
Bases Loaded
For the fifth 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. Matt Schick will host, joined by Jen Schroeder who made three WCWS appearances as a catcher for UCLA.
Bases Loaded will be available for 8.5 hours Friday-Sunday on the Bases Loaded channel and ESPN3 as well as in between televised games throughout the weekend.
Friday, May 17:
Airs from 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. ET on Bases Loaded channel and streamed on ESPN3.
| Time (ET) | Network |
| 9-9:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| 10:30-11 p.m. | ESPNU |
Saturday, May 18:
Airs from 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. ET on Bases Loaded channel and streamed on ESPN3.
| Time (ET) | Network |
| 8-8:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| 10:30-11 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Sunday, May 19:
Airs from 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. ET on Bases Loaded channel and streamed on ESPN3.
| Time (ET) | Network |
| 4-4:30 p.m. | ESPN2 |
| 4:30- 5 p.m. | ESPNU |
| 6:30-7 p.m. | ESPN2 |
Coverage from Every Angle
7Innings Podcast
The 7Innings Podcast, now in its second season, will continue to chronicle the Road to the Women’s College World Series with insights and analysis from ESPN softball mainstays Beth Mowins, Michele Smith, Jessica Mendoza, Amanda Scarborough, Holly Rowe, Kayla Braud, Jenny Dalton-Hill and Danielle Lawrie, among others. Episodes are posted to ESPN Audio, iTunes and Spotify weekly.
espnW
Look for the latest news, scores and highlights on espnW and its various social handles throughout regional play. Feature stories include:
- A preview of the NCAA softball regionals by spotlighting some of the new faces in the tournament, including UCLA freshmen Kelli Godin and Megan Faraimo, and Minnesota freshman Natalie DenHartog.
- From Keilani Ricketts at Oklahoma to Sierra Romero at Oregon, Katie Barnes explains why NCAA softball dugouts are full of superstars moonlighting as coaches.
- Former Oregon star Jenna Lilley, now with the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch League, explains why she’s rooting for theLouisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.
Rally Cap
SEC Network’s weekly baseball and softball highlight and analysis show Rally Cap will air Sunday, May 19 at 11 or 11:30 p.m. depending on game scheduling. Softball analyst Tori Vidales will join host Dari Nowkhah and baseball analyst to bring fans the very best from the softball regionals and the final week of the NCAA Baseball regular season.
NCAA Division I Softball Regional Schedule
Norman Regional
Top Seed: No. 1 Oklahoma
PxP: Pam Ward
Analyst: Jenny Dalton-Hill
- 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)
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | 7 p.m. | Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame | ESPN |
| 9: 30 p.m. | UMBC vs. Oklahoma | ESPN2 | |
| Sat, May 18 | 4 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 6:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 9 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 19 | 2 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 4:30 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
Los Angeles Regional
Top Seed: No. 2 UCLA
PxP: Trey Bender
Analyst: Leah Amico
- 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
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | 8:30 p.m. | Cal State Fullerton vs. Missouri | ESPNU |
| 11 p.m. | Weber State vs. UCLA | ESPNU | |
| Sat, May 18 | 6 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 8:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 11 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 19 | 5 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 7:30 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
Seattle Regional
Top Seed: No. 3 Washington
PxP: Alex Perlman
Analyst: Kenzie Fowler
- 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
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | 7:30 p.m. | Seattle vs. Mississippi State | ESPN3 |
| 10 pm. | Fordham vs. Washington | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 18 | 6 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 8:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 11 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 19 | 9 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 11:30 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
Tallahassee Regional
Top Seed: No. 4 Florida State
PxP: Mike Couzens
Analyst: Erin Miller
- 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)
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | Noon | USF vs. South Carolina | SEC Network |
| 2:30 p.m. | Bethune Cookman vs. Florida State | ESPNU | |
| Sat, May 18 | Noon | Game 3 | TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 5 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 19 | Noon | Game 6 | TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
Gainesville Regional
Top Seed: No. 5 Florida
PxP: Eric Frede
Analyst: Madison Shipman
- College: Tennessee
- Analyst: Three time All-American, SEC Player of the Year, 2014 NPF Rookie of the Year
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | Noon | Boise State at Stanford | ESPNU |
| 2:30 p.m. | Boston University vs. Florida | SEC Network | |
| Sat, May 18 | 2 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 4:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 7 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 19 | Noon | Game 6 | TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
Tucson Regional
Top Seed: No. 6 Arizona
PxP: Beth Mowins
Analyst: Michele Smith
- College: Oklahoma State
- Honors: Two-time All-American, two time Olympic Gold Medalist (1996, ’00) and eight time Japan Pro League MVP
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | 9:00 p.m. | Colorado State vs. Auburn | ESPN |
| 11:30 p.m. | Harvard vs. Arizona | ESPN2 | |
| Sat, May 18 | 6 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 8:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 11 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 19 | 7 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 9:30 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
Minneapolis Regional
Top Seed: No. 7 Minnesota
PxP: Courtney Lyle
Analyst: Amanda Scarborough
- 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)
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | 7 p.m. | Drake vs, Georgia | ESPN2 |
| 9:30 p.m. | North Dakota State vs. Minnesota | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 18 | 4 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 6:30 p.m. | Game 4
|
TBD | |
| 9 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 19 | 4 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 6:30 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
Tuscaloosa Regional
Top Seed: No. 8 Alabama
PxP: Tiffany Greene
Analyst: Kayla Braud
- College: Alabama
- Honors: National Champion (2012), two time All-American, SEC Freshman of the Year
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | 4 p.m. | Lipscomb vs. Arizona State | ESPN3 |
| 6:30 p.m. | Alabama State vs. Alabama | ESPNU | |
| Sat, May 18 | 2 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 4:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 7 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 19 | 2 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 4:30 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
Austin Regional
Top Seed: No. 9 Texas
PxP: Alex Loeb
Analyst: Megan Willis
- College: Texas
- Honors: Two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2006, ‘07); Played in National Fastpitch League
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | 2 p.m. | Texas A&M vs. Houston | ESPN3 |
| 5 p.m. | Sam Houston State vs. Texas | Longhorn Network | |
| Sat, May 18 | 2 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 4:30 p.m. | Game 4
|
TBD | |
| 7 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 19 | 4:30 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 7 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
Baton Rouge Regional
Top Seed: No. 10 LSU
PxP: Matt Schumaker
Analyst: Leigh Dakich
- 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
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | 3 p.m. | Louisiana Tech vs. Texas Tech | ESPN3 |
| 5:30 p.m. | Monmouth vs. LSU | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 18 | 2 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 4:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 7 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 19 | 4 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 6:30 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
Oxford Regional
Top Seed: No. 11 Ole Miss
PxP: Seth Austin
Analyst: Missy Dickerson
- College: UCLA
- Honors: All-American, Three time National Champion; Former head coach at Ole Miss and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | 4:30 p.m. | Southeast Missouri State vs. Louisiana | ESPN3 |
| 7 p.m. | Chattanooga vs. Ole Miss | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 18 | 1 p.m. | Game 3 | ESPN3 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Game 4 | ESPN3 | |
| 6 p.m. | Game 5 | ESPN3 | |
| Sun, May 19 | 3 p.m. | Game 6 | ESPN3 |
| 5:30 p.m. | Game 7 | ESPN3 |
Knoxville Regional
Top Seed: No. 12 Tennessee
PxP: Jenn Hildreth
Analyst: Carol Bruggeman
- 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)
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | 11 a.m. | Ohio State vs. North Carolina | ESPN2 |
| 1:30 p.m. | Longwood vs. Tennessee | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 18 | Noon | Game 3 | TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 4 | TBD | |
| 5 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 19 | Noon | Game 6 | TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
Stillwater Regional
Top Seed: No. 13 Oklahoma State
PxP: Melissa Lee
Analyst: Cheri Kempf
- 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
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Thu, May 16 | 6 p.m. | Tulsa vs. Arkansas | ESPN3 |
| 8:30 p.m. | BYU vs. Oklahoma State | ESPN3 | |
| Fri, May 17 | 1 p.m. | Game 3 | ESPN2 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Game 4 | ESPN3 | |
| 6 p.m. | Game 5 | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 8 | 4 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 6:30 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
Lexington Regional
Top Seed: No. 14 Kentucky
PxP: Dave Baker
Analyst: Francesca Enea
- 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).
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | Noon | Illinois vs. Virginia Tech | ESPN3 |
| 2:30 p.m. | Toledo vs. Kentucky | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 18 | Noon | Game 3 | ESPN3 |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 4 | ESPN3 | |
| 5 p.m. | Game 5 | ESPN3 | |
| Sun, May 19 | Noon | Game 6 | ESPN3 |
| 2:30 p.m. | Game 7 | ESPN3 |
Ann Arbor Regional
Top Seed: No. 15 Michigan
PxP: Mark Neely
Analyst: Danielle Lawrie
- College: Washington
- Honors: National Champion (2009), All-American, and played for Canadian National Team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | 2 p.m. | DePaul vs. James Madison | ESPN3 |
| 4:30 p.m. | Saint Francis vs. Michigan | ESPNU | |
| Sat, May 18 | Noon | TBD | |
| 2:30 p.m. | TBD | ||
| 5 p.m. | TBD | ||
| Sun, May 19 | 2 p.m. | TBD | |
| 4:30 p.m. | TBD |
Evanston Regional
Top Seed: No. 16 Northwestern
PxP: Eric Frede
Analyst: Jennie Ritter
- College: Michigan
- Honors: National Championship (2005), played for USA National Team (2007) in the World Cup and Pan American games
| Date | Time (ET) | Game | Network |
| Fri, May 17 | 1 p.m. | Southern Illinois vs. Louisville | ESPN3 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Detroit Mercy vs. Northwestern | ESPN3 | |
| Sat, May 18 | 2 p.m. | Game 3 | TBD |
| 4:30 p.m. | Game 4
|
TBD | |
| 7 p.m. | Game 5 | TBD | |
| Sun, May 19 | 2 p.m. | Game 6 | TBD |
| 4:30 p.m. | Game 7 | TBD |
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