Selection Sunday Marks Start of NCAA Softball Tournament Journey

BRIGHTON, Massachusetts — Selection Sunday has arrived for the NCAA Softball Tournament, with the 64-team bracket set to be revealed today at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2. This year’s tournament includes 31 automatic bids earned through conference championships and 33 at-large bids.

Several teams secured their automatic entries, notably Clemson (ACC) and Texas Tech (Big 12). In the SEC, Oklahoma clinched its automatic bid, leaving Texas A&M sidelined. As of this morning, the final automatic bids remain contested, with Boston University and Jackson State earning spots by winning their respective league titles.

Florida State, boasting a 44-8 record, enters the ACC tournament as the favorite following its 15th regular-season title under Coach Lonni Alameda. The Seminoles are currently ranked No. 9 nationally and have performed well recently, clinching two wins against No. 15 Virginia Tech.

Along with Florida State, teams like North Carolina, Virginia, and defending champion Duke are set to compete in the tournament, which will take place at Harrington Athletics Village from May 7-10. Virginia Tech is also a potential threat, having won 12 of their last 13 games.

The ACC tournament will be crucial for teams looking to boost their at-large resumes. Selection Sunday not only determines postseason access but will also highlight the significance of RPI rankings and strength of schedule in deciding the fate of many programs.

Fans can catch the full bracket reveal and updates through streaming options, including the ESPN app.