KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball opens the NCAA Tournament this weekend as the seventh-seeded Lady Vols play host to the 20th consecutive Knoxville Regional at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. UT welcomes Ohio State, North Carolina and Miami (OH) to Rocky Top for the postseason showcase.
Limited walkup tickets are available at the Sherri Parker Lee ticket office when gates open to the public one hour prior to first pitch of the first game each day. Parking is free for all games in lots S14 and C25 adjacent to Sherri Parker Lee Stadium and Regal Soccer Stadium, and fans should note that Tennessee Athletics’ clear bag policy will be in effect.
Fans are encouraged to visit the Tennessee softball gameday information page before making their way to Sherri Parker Lee to familiarize themselves with gameday policies and procedures.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
The four-team regional will take place Friday to Sunday as a double-elimination tournament, with the winner advancing to the Super Regional round. Tennessee will play MAC champion Miami (OH) on Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network. Ohio State will take on North Carolina on Friday at 4:00 p.m. on ESPNU.
Friday, May 16
SPL gates open at 12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – Game 1 (Miami (OH) vs. Tennessee)
4:00 p.m. – Game 2 (North Carolina vs. Ohio State)
Saturday, May 17
SPL gates open at 11:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m. – Game 3
2:30 p.m. – Game 4
5:00 p.m. – Game 5
Sunday, May 18
SPL gates open at 11:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m. – Game 6
2:30 p.m. – Game 7 (if necessary)
PARKING
Fans please be advised; it is graduation weekend at the University of Tennessee and traffic will be heavy around Neyland Drive and UT’s campus. All fans looking to attend the softball regional should be prepared for traffic congestion. Fans are reminded that parking shuttles will be free and available at the Agriculture Campus all weekend.
Shuttle Information
Friday, May 16: Beginning at noon
Saturday, May 17: Beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, May 18: Beginning at 10:30 a.m.
HOSTING IS A HABIT
The Lady Vols will make their 22nd overall and 21st consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance this weekend. Tennessee has advanced to the postseason every year since 2004 and has hosted 20 straight regional rounds in Knoxville.
UT is one of just two teams to host regionals every season since the NCAA switched to a regional and super-regional format in 2005.
NOTING THE FIELD
Tennessee owns a 17-5 combined record all-time against Ohio State, North Carolina and Miami (OH).
vs. Ohio State: 5-0 – first meeting since March 10, 2024
vs. North Carolina: 6-3 – first meeting since March 10, 2020
vs. Miami (OH): 6-2 – first meeting since February 21, 2021
Ohio State (43-12-1, 16-6 BIG 10)
Head Coach: Kirin Kumar (Record at Ohio State: 43-12-1)
Series Record: Tennessee leads 5-0
North Carolina (40-15, 15-9 ACC)
Head Coach: Megan Smith Lyon (Record at North Carolina: 70-35)
Series Record: Tennessee leads 6-3
Miami (OH) (35-24, 20-7 MAC)
Head Coach: Mandy Gardner-Colegate (Record at Miami: 35-24)
Series Record: Tennessee leads 6-2
UP NEXT
The winner of the Knoxville Regional will take on the winner of the Baton Rouge Regional in the Super Regional round next weekend, May 22-25.
