The stage is set for another exciting Big 12 Softball Championship, returning to the iconic USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City from May 8th to 11th. All ten conference teams will vie for the coveted title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Softball Championship.
Top Seeds Vie for Big 12 Supremacy
The Sooners, fresh off a thrilling Sunday win in the Bedlam Series, enter the tournament as the No. 2 seed, hungry for their sixth title in the last seven completed championships. Their arch-rivals, the Texas Longhorns, secured the top seed after clinching their first regular-season title since 2010. Both teams boast top-four national rankings, setting the stage for a potential championship showdown.
Oklahoma State, Baylor Look to Upset the Balance
Oklahoma State, the No. 3 seed, is another Big 12 powerhouse looking to make a statement. They’ll face a hungry BYU team making its tournament debut in the opening round. Meanwhile, No. 4 seed Baylor will face off against first-year member UCF, aiming to capitalize on their regular-season sweep of the Knights.
Tournament Schedule Offers High-Level Competition
The single-elimination format promises high-stakes drama throughout the week. The first two days will see a flurry of matchups, with winners advancing to the quarterfinals on Thursday. The Sooners will await the winner of the opening game between Kansas and Houston. All games leading up to the championship final will be streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
First Round / Wednesday, May 8
Game 1 – No. 7 Kansas vs. No. 10 Houston – 5 p.m. CT – Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Game 2 – No. 8 Texas Tech vs. No. 9 Iowa State – 7:30 p.m. CT – Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Quarterfinals / Thursday, May 9
Game 3 – No. 3 Oklahoma State vs. No. 6 BYU – 11 a.m. CT – Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Game 4 – No. 2 Oklahoma vs. Winner of Game 1 – 1:30 p.m. CT – Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Game 5 – No. 1 Texas vs. Winner of Game 2 – 5 p.m. CT – Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Game 6 – No. 4 Baylor vs. No. 5 UCF – 7:30 p.m. CT – Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Semifinals / Friday, May 10
Game 7 – Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 – 5 p.m. CT – Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Game 8 – Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 – 7:30 p.m. CT – Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Championship Final / Saturday, May 11
Game 9 – Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 8 – 6:30 p.m. CT – ESPN2
Championship Final Under the Lights on ESPN2
The two semifinal winners will lock horns on Friday evening, with the victor advancing to battle for the coveted Big 12 title on Saturday night. The championship final will be televised nationally on ESPN2, offering a thrilling culmination to the week-long tournament.
Can the Sooners Claim Another Title on Home Soil?
With a passionate home crowd behind them and a talented roster hungry for redemption, the Oklahoma Sooners are poised for a strong showing in this year’s Big 12 Softball Championship. As the tournament unfolds, this may provide one of the craziest battles for conference supremacy that we’ve seen in a long, long time. Stay tuned for exciting updates throughout the week!
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