April 17, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA – Alabama batter Brooke Wells crosses home plate after a home run at Rhoads Stadium during the weekend series opener against Kentucky. (Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The NCAA has decided to follow the basketball model by awarding four No. 1 seeds, four No. 2 seeds, and so on, but we all understand the true meaning behind it. We’re sticking with the traditional 1‑16 seeding method.
– **Alabama** – The target is on their back.
– **Texas** – Wisconsin and Baylor won’t be easy matchups.
– **Oklahoma** – A favorable Regional: Binghamton, Kansas, Michigan. Must be nice.
– **Nebraska** – Faces Louisville and Grand Canyon.
– **Arkansas** – Washington is the second seed in this bracket. Is Alexis DeBoer already tired of losing? Mama’s calling.
– **Florida** – A relatively easy path with Texas State, Georgia Tech, and FAMU.
– **Tennessee** – Virginia could pose a challenge.
– **UCLA** – Not envious of the Bruins with South Carolina in their Regional.
– **Florida State** – Central Florida could be troublesome.
– **Georgia** – Clemson awaits.
– **Texas Tech** – Ole Miss could pull an upset.
– **Duke** – Arizona is the biggest threat.
– **Oklahoma State** – How did this happen? Wouldn’t be surprised if Stanford upsets the Cowgirls.
– **Oregon** – Can Mississippi State make things difficult for the Ducks?
– **Texas A&M** – Biggest threat is Big 12 Tournament champion Arizona State.
– **LSU** – Faces a tough Virginia Tech in their Regional. Win that, and they’ll likely play Alabama in the Super Regionals.
**SEC Dominance**
Nine SEC teams are seeded in the tournament, with six of the top seven. A total of 12 conference teams made the field:
1. Alabama
2. Texas
3. Oklahoma
5. Arkansas
6. Florida
7. Tennessee
10. Georgia
15. Texas A&M
16. LSU
Unseeded: Mississippi State, South Carolina, Ole Miss
Not in the field: Missouri (second straight season without postseason), Kentucky (first miss since 2008), Auburn (first miss since 2013).
**Cousins in the Tournament**
– **Jacksonville State** – The Gamecocks are dancing after winning their first C‑USA Softball Championship, securing both the tournament and regular‑season titles. They head to a tough Tallahassee Regional with Florida State and Central Florida.
– **South Alabama** – The Jaguars earned an auto‑bid by winning the Sun Belt Tournament as the No. 5 seed. They go to the Baton Rouge Regional against LSU and Virginia Tech. I’d rather be there than in Tallahassee.
**Division I Softball Committee**
Committee Chair: Kurt McGuffin, Tennessee‑Martin
Members: Kristi Bredbenner (Wichita State), Tara Brooks (Tennessee, Sr. Assoc. AD), Natalie Gonzalez Honnen (Clemson), Heather Hunter (Cal‑Davis), Jessica Leger (Louisiana‑Lafayette), Lori Perez (Sacramento State), Keanah Smith (Western Michigan), Holly VanVlymen (South Dakota State), Jane Wagner (Northwestern)
**Alabama’s Tuscaloosa Regional (May 15–17)**
– Game 1: noon/1 p.m. – Alabama vs. USC Upstate (SEC Network)
– Game 2: 2:30/3:30 p.m. – Southeastern Louisiana vs. Belmont (ESPN+)
– Game 3 (May 16): 1 p.m./2 p.m. – Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
– Game 4: 3:30/4:30 p.m. – Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
– Game 5: 6 p.m./7 p.m. – Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3
– Game 6 (May 17): noon/1 p.m. – Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5
– Game 7 (if necessary): 2:30/3:30 p.m. – Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 5
**Final Thought**
If Alabama loses a single game in this Regional, we’ll storm Rhoads Stadium at dawn and form an Oligarchy for Life government.
#RollTide #Team30