2018 NCAA Softball Tournament Interactive Bracket

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Regional play starts later this week:

www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/softball/d1/2018

Super regional play follows a week later.

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Top 8 National Seeds:

1. Oregon
2. Florida
3. UCLA
4. Oklahoma
5. Washington
6. Florida State
7. Georgia
8. Arizona State

Top 8 national seeds host through their super regional if they advance from their regional.

The biggest threat of upset in a regional is Georgia. They lost their senior starting ace to injury back about  month ago. California has a shot at the upset if they get to UGA's pitchers and score enough runs to win. The Bulldog offense is potent so it will take the Golden Bears best effort.  

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Usually there is an upset or two, but all 16 seeds won their regionals over the weekend. There is no Cinderella this year. 

The bracket moves to the super regionals this coming weekend. Remaining in play by conference:

SEC - 9
PAC - 5
ACC - 1
B12 - 1

The SEC has two super regionals featuring SEC teams. The PAC 12 has one regional featuring PAC 12 teams.

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In a day 1 upset #16 seed Kentucky upset #1 seed Oregon 9-6.

#3 UCLA beat up #14 Arizona 7-1.

#2 Florida beat #15 Texas A&M 5-4. The Gators got two consecutive walks scoring the game winning runs in walkoff fashion. Going to the bottom of the 7th, the Gators were down 4-2. The best player in college softball IMO, Amanda Lorenz, hit a homer with 1 out to close to 4-3 aTm. The remaining action was walks allowed by the Texas A&M pitching staff and two errors on the infield that should have ended the game at 4-3 Aggies. The Aggies were in position to win the game, but they choked on their on stress. A more seasoned team at winning in this type of environment would have closed out the game at 4-3. Texas A&M was a 2017 WCWS team with all starters returning, but that experience didn't help them at Florida. The Gators were fortunate to avoid the upset. I'm pretty sure that it would be a rare event if the #1 and #2 seeds had been upset on day 1 of the super regionals.

[Deleted]

There were no upsets as the top 8 national seeds advanced to the WCWS.

[drjensen]

Your Gator Girls better start playing a little better ball, two walk off homers to defeat A&M, pretty good ball games to watch, however, the competition gets better. Outside of CFB, there's nothing better to watch than women's softball.

[Deleted]

May 27, 2018 13:13:25 GMT -5 drjensen said:

Your Gator Girls better start playing a little better ball, two walk off homers to defeat A&M, pretty good ball games to watch, however, the competition gets better. Outside of CFB, there's nothing better to watch than women's softball.

UF is capable of playing with anyone and has a history of playing up to the level of competition. In the aTm series, the Gators faced a team that they dominated, embarrassed, in a sweep during the season. The Aggies came in hot after dominating their College Station regional and with a chip on their shoulder. They played that way from first pitch to last walkoff swing by the Gators. Don't forget, aTm was a WCWS participant in 2017. They had all of their starters back. I'm not so sure the competition in OKC can step up that much more than how the Aggies played against the Gators. They hit for average, hit with power, had good pitching, and played excellent defense. 

The only team in OKC that I think is better than UF, I've seen all of the WCWS participants during the season, is Oklahoma. The Sooners have a pitcher that UF batters can't handle, but it isn't the pitcher you would think. OU pitcher Paige Parker is up for the national player of the year award. She isn't the pitcher who can totally shutdown UF though. The Gators will hit her or walk against her about like most pitchers. It's the other Paige, Paige Lowery, that gives UF such a hard time. She pitches in the low 70s and she pounds the strike zone pitch after pitch on both sides of the plate. She will force the Gators out of their patience at the plate. Half of the Gators starting lineup are just adequate hitters, but they all can work counts, get occasional hits, and get lots of walks. Paige Lowery will not give the Gators that patience at the plate advantage.

UF and FSU split 1-1 with each winning at home. Even though UF has been giving up too many gopher balls, I think UF's pitching staff is the difference between the two teams. On a neutral field, I think UF wins.

UF opens with UGALY. The poodles took 2 of 3 against UF in Athens early in the season. However, the difference in that series was the number of illegal pitches called on Kelly Barnhill giving the poodles second and third chances at the plate. The college pitching rule which is different from the international pitching rule, the back foot must slide on the ground and can't be lifted during the motion to the plate, was enforced on Barnhill early and often causing her to adjust her pitching style. In the rematch, I like the Gators to open with a win against the poodles on Thursday night.

The PAC 12? Arizona State, Oregon, UCLA, and Washington are excellent teams. UF against any of these teams would be outstanding games.

JMHO, Oklahoma has the best team in college softball. If I were a betting man, I'd wager on OU to 3peat. Fortunately, OU is in the bracket with Arizona State, Oregon, and Washington. Maybe they can stop the Sooners run to another national championship. The only good news for college softball is Paige Parker and Paige Lowery are both seniors and will be leaving after this season.

[oujour76]

May 27, 2018 17:31:40 GMT -5 ETGator1 said:

May 27, 2018 13:13:25 GMT -5 drjensen said:

Your Gator Girls better start playing a little better ball, two walk off homers to defeat A&M, pretty good ball games to watch, however, the competition gets better. Outside of CFB, there's nothing better to watch than women's softball.

UF is capable of playing with anyone and has a history of playing up to the level of competition. In the aTm series, the Gators faced a team that they dominated, embarrassed, in a sweep during the season. The Aggies came in hot after dominating their College Station regional and with a chip on their shoulder. They played that way from first pitch to last walkoff swing by the Gators. Don't forget, aTm was a WCWS participant in 2017. They had all of their starters back. I'm not so sure the competition in OKC can step up that much more than how the Aggies played against the Gators. They hit for average, hit with power, had good pitching, and played excellent defense. 

The only team in OKC that I think is better than UF, I've seen all of the WCWS participants during the season, is Oklahoma. The Sooners have a pitcher that UF batters can't handle, but it isn't the pitcher you would think. OU pitcher Paige Parker is up for the national player of the year award. She isn't the pitcher who can totally shutdown UF though. The Gators will hit her or walk against her about like most pitchers. It's the other Paige, Paige Lowery, that gives UF such a hard time. She pitches in the low 70s and she pounds the strike zone pitch after pitch on both sides of the plate. She will force the Gators out of their patience at the plate. Half of the Gators starting lineup are just adequate hitters, but they all can work counts, get occasional hits, and get lots of walks. Paige Lowery will not give the Gators that patience at the plate advantage.

UF and FSU split 1-1 with each winning at home. Even though UF has been giving up too many gopher balls, I think UF's pitching staff is the difference between the two teams. On a neutral field, I think UF wins.

UF opens with UGALY. The poodles took 2 of 3 against UF in Athens early in the season. However, the difference in that series was the number of illegal pitches called on Kelly Barnhill giving the poodles second and third chances at the plate. The college pitching rule which is different from the international pitching rule, the back foot must slide on the ground and can't be lifted during the motion to the plate, was enforced on Barnhill early and often causing her to adjust her pitching style. In the rematch, I like the Gators to open with a win against the poodles on Thursday night.

The PAC 12? Arizona State, Oregon, UCLA, and Washington are excellent teams. UF against any of these teams would be outstanding games.

JMHO, Oklahoma has the best team in college softball. If I were a betting man, I'd wager on OU to 3peat. Fortunately, OU is in the bracket with Arizona State, Oregon, and Washington. Maybe they can stop the Sooners run to another national championship. The only good news for college softball is Paige Parker and Paige Lowery are both seniors and will be leaving after this season.

OU is good, but don't think this is their year. Admittedly don't follow as closely as you do, but imo Oregon is the team to beat. We'll see soon enough.

[Deleted]

May 27, 2018 18:35:40 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

May 27, 2018 17:31:40 GMT -5 ETGator1 said:

UF is capable of playing with anyone and has a history of playing up to the level of competition. In the aTm series, the Gators faced a team that they dominated, embarrassed, in a sweep during the season. The Aggies came in hot after dominating their College Station regional and with a chip on their shoulder. They played that way from first pitch to last walkoff swing by the Gators. Don't forget, aTm was a WCWS participant in 2017. They had all of their starters back. I'm not so sure the competition in OKC can step up that much more than how the Aggies played against the Gators. They hit for average, hit with power, had good pitching, and played excellent defense. 

The only team in OKC that I think is better than UF, I've seen all of the WCWS participants during the season, is Oklahoma. The Sooners have a pitcher that UF batters can't handle, but it isn't the pitcher you would think. OU pitcher Paige Parker is up for the national player of the year award. She isn't the pitcher who can totally shutdown UF though. The Gators will hit her or walk against her about like most pitchers. It's the other Paige, Paige Lowery, that gives UF such a hard time. She pitches in the low 70s and she pounds the strike zone pitch after pitch on both sides of the plate. She will force the Gators out of their patience at the plate. Half of the Gators starting lineup are just adequate hitters, but they all can work counts, get occasional hits, and get lots of walks. Paige Lowery will not give the Gators that patience at the plate advantage.

UF and FSU split 1-1 with each winning at home. Even though UF has been giving up too many gopher balls, I think UF's pitching staff is the difference between the two teams. On a neutral field, I think UF wins.

UF opens with UGALY. The poodles took 2 of 3 against UF in Athens early in the season. However, the difference in that series was the number of illegal pitches called on Kelly Barnhill giving the poodles second and third chances at the plate. The college pitching rule which is different from the international pitching rule, the back foot must slide on the ground and can't be lifted during the motion to the plate, was enforced on Barnhill early and often causing her to adjust her pitching style. In the rematch, I like the Gators to open with a win against the poodles on Thursday night.

The PAC 12? Arizona State, Oregon, UCLA, and Washington are excellent teams. UF against any of these teams would be outstanding games.

JMHO, Oklahoma has the best team in college softball. If I were a betting man, I'd wager on OU to 3peat. Fortunately, OU is in the bracket with Arizona State, Oregon, and Washington. Maybe they can stop the Sooners run to another national championship. The only good news for college softball is Paige Parker and Paige Lowery are both seniors and will be leaving after this season.

OU is good, but don't think this is their year. Admittedly don't follow as closely as you do, but imo Oregon is the team to beat. We'll see soon enough.

Oregon is a good team, not a great team. I know they beat the Sooners in Eugene during the season, but I watched some of the Kentucky at Oregon super regional. In game 1, the Beavers didn't look anything like a national championship contender even though they did buckle down to win the next two over the Wildcats. UF swept UK and none of the games were close.

Maybe it's the UF vs. Oregon history that taints my view of Oregon. The teams last played in 2015 with the Gators sweeping 2 games during the regular season. All-time, UF is 9-2 against Oregon, 8-2 under Tim Walton.

UF has also had success against UCLA and Washington even though Washington beat UF in the WCWS final series in 2009. I think 2009 was the first year the WCWS went with a best of three final series.

#1 Arizona State beat UF in the best of three series at the WCWS in 2011, but UF won a regular season game and the super regional in 2010. In the last 10 years, those are the only games the two programs have played against each other. 

Nothing would please me more than to see another Florida vs. Oklahoma finale. The 7-5 extra innings game was the longest and one of the WCWS best games ever and the 5-4 game wasn't bad either. OU should win that series again, but that's why they play the games. Tim Walton gave the Gators a t-shirt at the start of the 2018 season. It simply said "3 Runs."

I think both teams would enjoy a rematch. The last 5 national championships have been won by Oklahoma (13/16/17) and Florida (14/15), but they only faced off in 2017.

[drjensen]

I'm going with Oklahoma also. Paige Lowery went to a school close to where I live so I followed her high school career and was happy when she transferred to OU from Missouri. As I said, women's softball is one of my favorite sports to watch. The series between UF and aTm was pretty exciting softball. My granddaughter had a chance to go to OU and play but opted for another college because of her major. I guess she figured there is life after softball. Anyhow, great watching the ladies play and I'm looking forward to watching the games.

[oujour76]

May 28, 2018 11:06:44 GMT -5 drjensen said:

I'm going with Oklahoma also. Paige Lowery went to a school close to where I live so I followed her high school career and was happy when she transferred to OU from Missouri. As I said, women's softball is one of my favorite sports to watch. The series between UF and aTm was pretty exciting softball. My granddaughter had a chance to go to OU and play but opted for another college because of her major. I guess she figured there is life after softball. Anyhow, great watching the ladies play and I'm looking forward to watching the games.

Hoping for an OU win as well, of course. Paige Lowary and Paige Parker are two really good pitchers for the Sooners. Most years OU has one real dominant pitcher and the others are a notch or two below...this is the first year I can recall having two aces at the same time. Curious as to your granddaughter...where did she end up and what is her major? Is she still playing?

[drjensen]

May 28, 2018 11:14:43 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

May 28, 2018 11:06:44 GMT -5 drjensen said:

I'm going with Oklahoma also. Paige Lowery went to a school close to where I live so I followed her high school career and was happy when she transferred to OU from Missouri. As I said, women's softball is one of my favorite sports to watch. The series between UF and aTm was pretty exciting softball. My granddaughter had a chance to go to OU and play but opted for another college because of her major. I guess she figured there is life after softball. Anyhow, great watching the ladies play and I'm looking forward to watching the games.

Hoping for an OU win as well, of course. Paige Lowary and Paige Parker are two really good pitchers for the Sooners. Most years OU has one real dominant pitcher and the others are a notch or two below...this is the first year I can recall having two aces at the same time. Curious as to your granddaughter...where did she end up and what is her major? Is she still playing?

She chose Colorado State for their Environmental Engineering program. She just left yesterday after being home for a week to do some internship work this summer. She is playing some intermural softball but gave up the organized ball after her senior year in high school. When she was a sophomore we had several college coaches looking at her who told us she was a good as they had seen at her age. Her decision to give it up; we were a bit disappointed but respected her decision. She has been to Puerto Rico and Haiti working for them on Mission trips. She is our first grandchild and was and is a role model and inspiration to her cousins, friends, and community. Hard to argue with that. We are really proud of her.

[oujour76]

May 28, 2018 11:40:03 GMT -5 drjensen said:

May 28, 2018 11:14:43 GMT -5 oujour76 said:

Hoping for an OU win as well, of course. Paige Lowary and Paige Parker are two really good pitchers for the Sooners. Most years OU has one real dominant pitcher and the others are a notch or two below...this is the first year I can recall having two aces at the same time. Curious as to your granddaughter...where did she end up and what is her major? Is she still playing?

She chose Colorado State for their Environmental Engineering program. She just left yesterday after being home for a week to do some internship work this summer. She is playing some intermural softball but gave up the organized ball after her senior year in high school. When she was a sophomore we had several college coaches looking at her who told us she was a good as they had seen at her age. Her decision to give it up; we were a bit disappointed but respected her decision. She has been to Puerto Rico and Haiti working for them on Mission trips. She is our first grandchild and was and is a role model and inspiration to her cousins, friends, and community. Hard to argue with that. We are really proud of her.

Agree...can't argue with any of that. All the best to her down the road.

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Texas A&M gave everything they had in Gainesville and it was almost enough to eliminate Florida. I went back and looked at their schedule. Prior to the start of SEC play, #6 Texas A&M played #5 Oregon and #1 Washington in the Mary Nutter Classic in California. The Aggies beat Oregon 3-1 and lost to Washington 4-3 in a 9 inning game. While the Aggies cooled off in the ultra deep SEC, the SEC has a way of doing that to some really good teams, my guess is they played up to their potential in Gainesville which was WCWS level ability. Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the 7th, it took a walkoff, 2 out, 2 strike, 3 run homer for the Gators to win the deciding game 5-3 to advance to OKC. JMHO after rewatching the final game, Texas A&M had better talent than their #15 seed indicated. It shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone as the Aggies had all of their starters back from their 2017 WCWS team. Both teams were worthy of advancing to OKC.

Florida should do fine in OKC. Texas A&M helped the Gators get ready for the best of the best.

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WCWS Game 1:

Oregon 11
Arizona State 6