College softball #MAYhem begins on ESPN’s networks with more than 60 conference tournament games in four-action packed days (May 10-13), including 11 conference championship games, leading into the NCAA Softball Championship Selection Special Presented by Capital One on Sunday, May 14, on ESPN2 (10 p.m. ET).
- ACC, American, ASUN, Big South, Horizon, MAC, Missouri Valley, SEC, Southern, Southland, and Sun
Belt Championship Games - Every Game from ACC, ASUN, Horizon, Missouri Valley, SEC, Sun Belt Tournaments
- SEC Now Live from Knoxville
- ESPN2 Airs NCAA Softball Championship Selection Special on May 14
ESPN’s Conference Tournament Schedule (pdf)
Conference Championships on ESPN’s Networks
ESPN’s networks will have conference championship games from the American, ASUN, ACC, Big South, Horizon, MAC, Missouri Valley, SEC, Southern, Southland, and Sun Belt tournaments. ESPN will televise the American Conference
(noon), ACC (2 p.m.) and SEC (8 p.m.) on Saturday, May 13. That same day, ESPN3 streams the Big South (noon), Horizon League (1 p.m.), MAC (1 p.m.), Southern (1 p.m.), Missouri Valley (2 p.m.), ASUN (2 p.m.), and Sun Belt (6 p.m.).
The Big South (2:30 p.m.), Horizon League (3:30 p.m.), MAC (3:30 p.m.), Southern (3:30 p.m.) and ASUN (4:30 p.m.) could also all play a second championship game on Saturday, which are currently deemed “if necessary.” The Southland tournament could conclude on Friday, May 12, (4 p.m.) on ESPN3, with an “if necessary” game scheduled for Saturday (noon).
Every Game from ACC, Atlantic Sun, Horizon, Missouri Valley, SEC, Sun Belt Tournaments Available
ESPN’s networks will make every game from the ACC, Atlantic Sun, Horizon, Missouri Valley, SEC and Sun Belt tournaments available with each tournament beginning Wednesday, May 10, except for the ACC and Missouri Valley which begin Thursday, May 11. SEC Network airs the first round (Wednesday) and quarterfinals (Thursday) of its tournament before the semifinals move to ESPNU (Friday, May 12). ACC Network Extra streams the quarterfinals (Thursday) and semifinals (Friday, May 12) of its conference tournament and ESPN3 will stream the entire ASUN, Horizon, Missouri Valley and Sun Belt tournaments. Preliminary round action from the Big South will also be streamed on ESPN3, beginning on Friday.
SEC Now Live from Knoxville
In addition to televising the first and quarterfinal rounds, SEC Network will have a studio presence in Knoxville, Tenn. SEC Now airs its first episode from beyond the outfield wall at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on Wednesday, May 10, at 11:30 a.m. prior to the tournament’s first quarterfinal game between Arkansas and Alabama. A new edition of the show will then air in-between each first round and quarterfinal game (approx. 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7 p.m.) on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, and conclude with a one-hour recap show (approx. 9:30 p.m.) both nights.
SEC Now airs Friday, May 12, at 2:30 p.m., leading into the semifinals on ESPNU. Following Friday’s semifinals and Saturday’s championship game, SEC Now recaps of the day’s action at 10 p.m.
In Knoxville, Peter Burns will anchor the afternoon editions, while Laura Rutledge handles the evening episodes. Kayla Braud and Rainey Gaffin will be the analysts for all the onsite editions.
CAA Softball Championship Selection Special Presented by Capital One
Host Beth Mowins and analysts Amanda Scarborough and Michele Smith will unveil the 64-team NCAA Division I Softball Championship bracket throughout the NCAA Softball Championship Selection Special on Sunday, May 14, at 10 p.m. on ESPN2. During the one-hour special, Smith and Scarborough will analyze the field, preview each region and determine teams likely to advance. Head coaches from teams named to the field are expected to join the show.
College Softball Featured
College Softball Featured will also be shown throughout the week on ESPNU. The 30-minute special will feature a compilation of college softball features that have been produced throughout the season, highlighting the sport’s best stories.
May 11 (7 p.m. ET)
May 12 (5 & 8:30 p.m. ET)
May 14 (9:30 p.m. ET)
ESPN’s Coverage of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship
ESPN will be the home of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship, with every game of the Super Regionals and WCWS televised and the majority of games from the Regionals expected to be covered. Complete details will be announced next week.
-- Courtesy of ESPN
