Latest NCAA regional projections for South Carolina, Clemson softball teams
It’s almost time for the NCAA softball tournament.
Clemson and South Carolina are considered locks for the 64-team field and were ranked No. 22 and No. 25, respectively, in D1Softball’s latest Top 25 poll.
The Tigers and the Gamecocks have weaker résumés than last season, when they both earned top 16 seeds in the NCAA bracket and hosted regionals. Both teams could earn No. 2 seeds in other regions, though.
Here are the latest projections ahead of Sunday’s selection show (7 p.m., ESPN2).
South Carolina softball’s NCAA projections
The Gamecocks, led by second-year coach Ashley Chastain Woodard, were ranked No. 25 nationally heading into this week’s SEC softball tournament.
USC finished 30-26 and 7-17 in the SEC. The Gamecocks were seeded No. 12 in the SEC tournament and dropped their opening game against Ole Miss Tuesday.
Despite a .292 conference winning percentage, South Carolina’s strong rankings in national RPI and strength of schedule rankings make it a likely No. 2 seed.
Softball America’s May 5 projection had South Carolina as the No. 2 seed in No. 8 overall seed UCLA’s regional with No. 3 Cal State Fullerton and No. 4 Cal Baptist.
A projection from PEAR Ratings also has South Carolina as the No. 2 seed in UCLA’s regional with the Bruins (No. 6 overall), No. 3 Omaha and No. 4 Marist.
The Gamecocks and Bruins have some history: They met in the super regionals last year in Columbia as the field’s No. 8 and No. 9 overall seeds, respectively. USC won the first game before UCLA took the next two to advance to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
This will be South Carolina’s fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Clemson softball NCAA projections
Clemson softball, which started playing in 2020 and is in its seventh season under coach John Rittman, was most recently ranked as the No. 22 team in the country.
The Tigers went 32-20 and finished 13-11 in the ACC. Clemson was the No. 7 seed in the conference tournament and lost in the opening round to UNC Wednesday.
Softball America’s May 5 projection listed Clemson as the No. 2 seed in Georgia’s region, joining No. 11 overall seed UGA, No. 3 Jacksonville State and No. 4 Winthrop.
PEAR Ratings’ projection has Clemson as the No. 2 seed in No. 5 overall seed Alabama’s region with No. 3 Northwestern and No. 4 Florida A&M.
This will be Clemson’s sixth straight NCAA Tournament. The Tigers have made the field every year of their existence, excluding the 2020 COVID-affected season.
NCAA softball key dates
- May 10: Selection Sunday (7 p.m., ESPN2)
- May 15-17: Regional round at campus sites
- May 21-24: Super regional round at campus sites
- May 28-June 4/5: Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City
This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Latest NCAA regional projections for South Carolina, Clemson softball teams."
