It’s that time of year again when college softball fans start checking rankings obsessively and arguing about who deserves what seed.
We are just as guilty!
As we inch closer to Selection Sunday, we have been getting into statistics, watching games, and tracking trends to determine how the tournament might shape up.
In this blog, we have shared the predictions for who’s in, who’s out, and which teams might host regionals on the road to Oklahoma City.
Let’s break down what the softball tournament field might look like before the committee officially announces it.
Understanding the Selection Process
The NCAA Division I Softball Tournament is a highly competitive postseason event where 64 teams compete for the national championship in women’s college softball.
The tournament follows a multi-tiered structure that includes regionals and super regionals, culminating in the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) in Oklahoma City.
Teams earn their place through automatic bids and at-large spots, which are awarded to the best remaining teams.
Stage | Number of Teams | Format |
---|---|---|
64 Teams | 64 | 32 automatic bids, 32 at-large bids |
Regionals | 64 | Four-team, double-elimination mini-tournament |
Super Regionals | 16 | Best-of-three series |
WCWS | 8 | Double-elimination format |
Top Seeds and Bubble Teams
Top Seeds (As of Late May 2025):
- Oklahoma: Defending champs, dominant pitching, and power hitting.
- Texas A&M: Hot finish, big wins over ranked teams.
- Florida: Consistent all season, strong pitching staff.
- Arkansas: SEC champs, deep lineup.
Bubble Teams:
- UCF: Needs a strong conference tournament to get in.
- Iowa State: Right on the edge, big wins but a few tough losses.
- San Diego State: Hoping for an at-large bid after a strong finish.
Notable Conference Champs:
- James Madison (CAA)
- Loyola Marymount (WCC)
- Boston University (Patriot League)
Predicted Regional Hosts and Key Matchups
The projected 16 regional hosts for the NCAA Division I Softball Tournament include top teams like UCLA, Tennessee, Duke, Alabama, Stanford, LSU, Georgia, Washington, Oklahoma State, and Virginia Tech.
Some potential first-round matchups to watch include Oklahoma facing Central Arkansas, where there’s a chance for an upset if Oklahoma’s offense struggles.
Florida will take on Liberty, and Liberty’s strong pitching could make this an intriguing matchup. Another exciting first-round game is Stanford versus Cal State Fullerton, marking a classic West Coast showdown.
Upset alerts are on the horizon, as mid-major teams like Miami (Ohio) and South Dakota State have the potential to challenge higher-seeded teams and cause some surprises in the tournament.
Players and Teams to Watch
- NiJaree Canady: Dominant pitcher, can shut down any lineup.
- Skylar Wallace: Speed and power at the top of the order.
- Arkansas: Deep roster, lots of home run threats.
- UCLA: Young team, but loaded with talent.
Key Dates and How to Follow the Action
Fans can follow the tournament closely for live updates, scores, and bracket tracking through various platforms.
Event | Date | Location/Platform |
---|---|---|
Selection Show | May 11, 2025 | ESPN |
Regionals | May 15–18, 2025 | Various regional sites |
Super Regionals | May 22–25, 2025 | Various super regional sites |
WCWS | May 29–June 7, 2025 | Oklahoma City, ESPN |
Where to Follow: Live brackets and scores: ESPN app, D1Softball.com
For further details and updates, you can check out the following video on predictions of softball Bracketology 2025:
The road to Oklahoma City is about to get exciting, and these predictions are our best shot at what’s coming.
Were we wrong about your team? Let us know in the comments!