SEC Softball series that will decide the regular season title race
SEC Softball series that will decide the regular season title race
The SEC softball regular season title is going to come down to be a furious race to the finish. With three teams tied at the top with 13 wins and seven teams within three wins of first place. The following two weekends will tell the tale of the SEC regular season.
The Oklahoma Sooners, Texas A&M Aggies, and LSU Tigers have arguably the toughest finishes to the regular season. The Sooners, Gators, and Aggies will both play two series against a team at the top of the standings. South Carolina arguably has the easiest finish of any team in the hunt. They'll finish the season with against a pair of teams in the bottom half of the SEC standings.
More: SEC Softball standings entering final two weeks of regular season
1. Texas A&M vs. Arkansas
When: April 25-27
Why it Matters: The Aggies are at the top of the standings currently but have played one less game than the other two teams, with 13 wins on the season. The Aggies are holding onto the top spot, but have to get by a tough Arkansas team this weekend. They can't afford a series loss to the Razorbacks with a road trip looming against Tennessee to finish the season.
If Arkansas wants to stay in the SEC title race, they'll need to pull off an upset on the road. The Razorbacks are 3 1/2 games back with six games to play. That's a lot of ground to make up but a strong performance in College Station would go a long way.
2. Florida at LSU
When: April 25-27
Why it Matters: LSU is outside the conference title race at this point, but Florida has a chance to put themselves back in the title hunt if they can take care of business against the Tigers. The Gators have to win the series to stay in the title race. A sweep would be even better.
More: New No. 1 in SEC Softball Power Rankings
3. Oklahoma vs. Texas
When: April 25-27
Why it Matters: Oklahoma and Texas are tied going into the weekend but won't be tied after their Red River Showdown at Love's Field. The winner of the series will put themselves in the driver's seat for the regular season title. The loser will need a lot of help to stay in the title picture. Oklahoma doesn't really have the luxury of a series loss with a road trip to Florida to finish the season. The Longhorns take on Kentucky, who are 6-12 in SEC play.
4. Texas A&M at Tennessee
When: May 1-3
Why it Matters: The Tennessee Volunteers hold series wins over both Oklahoma and Texas. They're currently a game behind the Aggies. If they can stay right there or go into the final weekend tied in the win column with Texas A&M, the Lady Vols will have a great chance to win the SEC regular season title at home.
5. Oklahoma at Florida
When: May 1-3
Why it Matters: A lot is going to depend on how this weekend goes, but this series will factor into the regular season title race. Florida will want some revenge from the Women's College World Series semifinals when OU eliminated the Gators.
6. LSU at Arkansas
When: May 1-3
Why it Matters: Arkansas still has a shot at the regular season conference title, but they'll have to get by Texas A&M and then a game LSU team.
7. South Carolina at Auburn, vs Alabama
Why it Matters: South Carolina is 3 1/2 games back of first place entering the final two weeks of the season. They face a pair of teams that are a combined 12-27 in SEC play (.307 winning percentage). Sweeps are always hard to come by, but if the Gamecocks can go 6-0 in their final two SEC series, they'll have an outside shot to be at the SEC title.
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