OKLAHOMA CITY—The Texas A&M team has clinched the top seed in the NCAA Division I softball tournament, surpassing the four-time reigning champions, Oklahoma, for the coveted No. 1 position. This achievement places Texas A&M at the helm, spearheading a strong Southeastern Conference showing in the top bracket, with seven SEC teams securing positions among the top eight.
In a competitive SEC season, Oklahoma triumphed in the regular season, edging by just one game over Texas A&M. Both teams shared the conference tournament title after inclement weather forced the cancellation of the championship game, leaving them as co-holders of the title.
Joining Texas A&M in representing the SEC are No. 3 seed Florida, a national semifinalist from the previous season, and No. 4 seed Arkansas. Oklahoma State, known for its consistent performance with five straight Women’s College World Series appearances, is set to compete in Arkansas’s regional.
The final stages of this 64-team tournament will culminate in the Women’s College World Series scheduled to take place from May 29 to June 5 in Oklahoma City.
From outside the SEC, Florida State, seeded No. 5 and the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference champion, leads the charge. The Seminoles have a formidable pedigree, with a national title in 2018 and runner-up positions in 2021 and 2023.
Three more SEC teams secured high seeds following Florida State: Texas, which has been the national runner-up twice in the last three seasons, achieved the No. 6 seed; Tennessee, featuring standout pitcher Karlyn Pickens, claimed the No. 7 seed; and South Carolina, defying preseason predictions that placed it at the bottom of the SEC, vaulted to the No. 8 position.
In its debut season with the Big Ten, No. 9 seed UCLA will host a regional, marking a significant transition for the team.
The LSU team, seeded No. 10, anticipates potential challenges in its regional, particularly from Nebraska, which boasts Jordyn Bahl, a standout pitcher who was the Most Outstanding Player at the 2023 World Series.
Clemson, fresh off clinching the ACC tournament by defeating Florida State, secured the No. 11 seed.
As the Big 12 regular-season and tournament champions, Texas Tech, holding the No. 12 seed, features Nijaree Canady, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Player of the Year renowned for a stellar performance in the Big 12 Tournament.
Arizona earned the No. 13 seed after being defeated by Texas Tech in the Big 12 title game.
Last season’s WCWS debutants, Duke will host a regional as the No. 14 seed, marking a significant milestone for the team.
Alabama continues the SEC presence with a No. 15 seed pick.
Oregon, boasting a 47-7 record, rounds out the rankings, seeded 16th as the Big Ten regular-season champions.