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The 2024 NCAA Softball Tournament: Texas Claims Top Seed
In a historic turn of events, the Texas Longhorns received the No. 1 overall seed in the 2024 NCAA softball tournament, marking the first time in program history. This distinction comes on the heels of a remarkable regular season performance that saw the Longhorns capture the Big 12 regular-season crown, finishing with a 47-7 record. Their success was further highlighted by a pivotal series victory over their Red River rival, the Oklahoma Sooners, in early April.
The Road to the Top
Despite falling to the Sooners in the Big 12 tournament title game, the Longhorns’ impressive body of work throughout the season ultimately earned them the coveted top seed. Led by standout player Reese Atwood, who leads the country with 86 RBIs and a .427 batting average, Texas boasts one of the most potent offensive lineups in the nation. The Longhorns lead the country with a .383 team batting average, closely followed by the Sooners at .367.
Oklahoma, a perennial powerhouse in college softball, secured the second seed in the tournament after a strong showing in the Big 12 tournament. With left-handed ace Kelly Maxwell leading the charge on the mound, the Sooners remain a formidable contender as they aim for their fourth consecutive Women’s College World Series championship.
A Look at the Top Seeds
Joining Texas and Oklahoma at the top of the seeding are SEC regular-season champion Tennessee, seeded third, and SEC tournament winner Florida, seeded fourth. Rounding out the top eight are Oklahoma State, UCLA, Missouri, and Stanford. These top seeds will all host super regionals if they advance past the opening round.
The selection committee, chaired by Kurt McGuffin, emphasized the Longhorns’ impressive resume, which includes a national-best 16 wins against top-25 opponents. This factor, coupled with their dominant performance down the stretch, solidified Texas’ position as the top seed in the tournament.
The Path Forward
Texas will host Siena in their regional, alongside Northwestern and Saint Francis (Pa.), while Oklahoma’s regional will feature Cleveland State, Oregon, and Boston. Tennessee, the third seed, will face Dayton, Virginia, and Miami (Ohio), a team that leads the nation with 157 home runs.
Notable teams within the top 16 seeds include LSU, Duke, Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida State, and Texas A&M. These teams will all vie for a spot in the Women’s College World Series, set to begin on May 30 in Oklahoma City, with the finals scheduled for June 5-7.
As the tournament unfolds, fans can expect intense matchups and thrilling moments as the best teams in the country compete for softball supremacy. With powerhouse programs and emerging contenders in the mix, the 2024 NCAA softball tournament promises to deliver excitement and drama on the diamond.
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