The NCAA Division I softball tournament charged into its second day on Saturday, May 17, with 16 regional sites hosting high-stakes games in a double-elimination format. From College Station to Eugene, teams fought to stay alive or move closer to the super regionals, with top seeds like No. 1 Texas A&M and No. 2 Oklahoma facing tough challenges. Day 2’s action, streamed primarily on ESPN+ with select games on ESPN2 and ESPNU, showcased the depth of talent in college softball as underdogs and favorites alike vied for a shot at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

The 64-team tournament, which began Friday, is structured around 16 regionals, each featuring four teams. Winners of each regional advance to the super regionals, a best-of-three series, with the eight surviving teams earning a trip to the Women’s College World Series, set for May 29 to June 5 at Devon Park. Saturday’s schedule was packed with critical matchups, as teams that lost on Day 1 faced elimination, while Day 1 winners aimed to solidify their paths forward. The SEC, with 14 teams in the field and nine regional hosts, continued to dominate, but surprises from teams like Liberty and North Florida kept the brackets unpredictable.

In College Station, top-seeded Texas A&M, fresh off an 18-0 rout of Saint Francis (PA), took on Liberty at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Liberty, which upset Marist 10-5 on Friday, leaned on pitcher Elena Escobar to challenge Aggies’ ace Emiley Kennedy. “We’re playing with nothing to lose,” Liberty coach Dot Richardson said before the game. Meanwhile, Marist and Saint Francis squared off at 4:30 p.m. ET in an elimination game, with the winner facing the Texas A&M-Liberty loser at 7 p.m. ET. Texas A&M’s strong finish to the regular season, including wins over Tennessee and Texas, has made them a favorite, but Liberty’s offensive spark could test their depth.

Knoxville saw No. 7 Tennessee, which crushed Miami (OH) 17-0 on Friday, face Ohio State at noon ET on ESPN2. Ohio State’s 9-6 win over North Carolina set up a clash of powerful offenses, with Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens aiming to contain the Buckeyes’ bats. “Ohio State’s got firepower, but we’re ready,” Tennessee coach Karen Weekly said. The loser of that game met the winner of Miami (OH) vs. North Carolina (2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+) at 5 p.m. ET, with elimination on the line. Tennessee’s home crowd and pitching strength give them an edge, but Ohio State’s resilience makes this regional a toss-up.

In Gainesville, No. 3 Florida battled Florida Atlantic at noon ET on ESPN+, following the Gators’ 8-0 shutout of Mercer. Florida Atlantic’s upset of Georgia Tech set the stage for a Sunshine State showdown. “We’re not intimidated,” said FAU’s Gabby Sacco, whose pitching stifled Georgia Tech. Mercer and Georgia Tech faced off at 2:30 p.m. ET in an elimination game, with the winner taking on the Florida-FAU loser at 5 p.m. ET. Florida’s SEC pedigree makes it a powerhouse, but FAU’s momentum could shake things up.

Other notable games included No. 5 Florida State vs. South Florida (1 p.m. ET, ESPN+) in Tallahassee, where South Florida’s 12-7 win over Auburn raised eyebrows. No. 16 Oregon met Stanford (4 p.m. ET, ESPN2) in Eugene after blanking Weber State 8-0, while No. 8 South Carolina faced North Florida (1 p.m. ET, ESPN+) in Columbia. Posts on  reflected the excitement, with fans calling Liberty’s upset “a wake-up call” and praising South Florida’s “grit.” One user noted, “This tournament’s already wild—nobody’s safe.”

The day’s outcomes carry big implications. Top seeds need to avoid early stumbles to host super regionals, while unranked teams like North Florida and Belmont, with its strikeout queen Maya Johnson, aim to play spoiler. “This is where legends are made,” said ESPN analyst Michele Smith, pointing to the double-elimination format’s intensity. The SEC’s dominance—seven of the top eight seeds—faces tests from the ACC’s nine tournament teams and dark horses like Texas Tech, led by pitcher NiJaree Canady.

As Saturday’s games unfold, the focus shifts to Sunday’s finales, where regional winners will emerge. Weather could play a role, with potential delays in outdoor venues like Fayetteville and Tuscaloosa. Fans can track live scores on NCAA.com or ESPN’s app, with streaming options via ESPN+ covering every pitch. The road to Oklahoma City is long, and Day 2’s results will shape who gets closer—and who goes home.