The 2025 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Softball Tournament began Tuesday, May 6, at Jack Turner Softball Stadium, hosted by the University of Georgia. The single-elimination tournament, running through Saturday, May 10, features 15 teams vying for the SEC title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Opening Round Highlights
The tournament opened with dominant performances from higher-seeded teams. The No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs, playing on their home field, crushed No. 13 Kentucky 8-0.
No. 11 Ole Miss edged out No. 14 Missouri 1-0, with Persy Llamas driving in the game’s only run in the first inning.
No. 10 Alabama secured a 3-2 victory over No. 15 Auburn in a tightly contested matchup reminiscent of their storied rivalry.
On Wednesday, the second round saw No. 9 LSU upset No. 8 Mississippi State 5-0, setting up a quarterfinal clash with top-seeded Oklahoma. Key contributions came from Maddox McKee and Jalia Lassiter, who combined for three RBIs.
Bracket and Seeding
The tournament bracket, expanded to include newcomers Oklahoma and Texas, is led by No. 1 Oklahoma (43-7, 17-7 SEC), the regular-season champion.
The top four seeds—Oklahoma, No. 2 Texas A&M, No. 3 Texas, and No. 4 Tennessee—earned double byes and will begin play in Thursday’s quarterfinals. Notable second-round matchups include No. 6 Florida versus No. 11 Ole Miss and No. 7 South Carolina against No. 10 Alabama.
SEC Softball Key Storylines
Oklahoma, the four-time defending national champion, aims to extend its conference tournament title streak, which began in the Big 12 in 2023.
Despite dropping their final two regular-season games to Florida, the Sooners remain a formidable force, with Ella Parker and Gabbie Garcia expected to lead the offence.
Texas, seeded third, boasts a deep pitching staff, making them a favourite for some analysts. No. 5 Arkansas, known for its potent offense, is considered a dark horse after a strong finish to the regular season. Florida, the defending tournament champion, looks to build on its 43-13 record and upset potential.
How to Watch SEC Softball 2025
All games through Thursday’s quarterfinals air on the SEC Network, with coverage featuring commentators Beth Mowins, Michele Smith, and Holly Rowe.
The semifinals on Friday, May 9, will be broadcast on ESPN2, and the championship game on Saturday, May 10, will air on ESPN. Live streaming options include FuboTV, SlingTV, and DirecTV Stream, all offering free trials.
What’s at Stake
The SEC Tournament winner earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, with the bracket reveal expected shortly after Saturday’s final.
With seven SEC teams ranked in the top 10 of the latest USA Softball/ESPN rankings, the conference is poised for a strong postseason showing. Analysts predict a wide-open race, with Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Florida, and Arkansas all viewed as national championship contenders.
Looking Ahead At SEC Softball
Thursday’s quarterfinals promise high-stakes action, with top seeds entering the fray. Fans can follow live updates and top performers through Softball America and view the full bracket on the SEC’s official website.
As the tournament progresses, the intensity is expected to rise in what many are calling one of the most competitive SEC fields in recent memory.
