What an emotional roller-coaster for Liberty softball in the first of two games in the Regional Final in College Station against the No. 1 overall seed Texas A&M. The Flames lost, 14-11, in eight innings, forcing a winner-take-all game seven of this regional later Sunday night with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.

The Lady Flames struck first as Savannah Woodard led off the bottom of the first with a home run. After Rachel Roupe helped eliminate a Texas A&M threat in the second as she gunned out a runner at home from trying to score from third on a fly ball to right field. Liberty would add to its lead with five runs in the second, taking a massive 6-0 lead. The inning was highlighted by Roupe’s 21st home run of the season, a grand slam.

As expected the Aggies would start chipping away at the Liberty lead, adding one in the third with an RBI single. The host team would explode for six runs in the fourth to take their first lead of the game at 7-6. Liberty had two errors in the inning, a sign of things to come throughout the game, while A&M blasted two home runs and scored four of their runs with two outs.

The Aggies would continue to pile on, looking like they would win going away, adding three more runs in the fifth, pushing their advantage to 10-6. Roupe’s defensive heroics would again come up big for the Flames, helping to limit the damage as she doubled the runner off first after securing a fly out to end the threat.

Brynn McManus missed a three-run home run by just inches as her ball in the bottom of the sixth hit off the wall, it did score one run as Liberty cut the deficit to three. The Aggies made it 11-7 scoring one in the top of the seventh, in part due to another Liberty error.

Entering the bottom of the seventh, the Lady Flames trailed by four and looked destined to be headed to another game against Texas A&M. But the two-time defending CUSA champions would not go down quietly. The first two hitters in the inning singled before Alexia Carrasquillo would pinch-hit and have an RBI single off the outfield wall, scoring one run. Savannah Whatley followed with an RBI single, cutting the deficit to two at 11-9. Woodard then grounded out moving the runners to second and third as Rachel Roupe stepped to the plate.

Roupe singled back up the middle, scoring a run to make it 11-10. McManus would walk to load the bases before Alyssa Henault was hit by a pitch to tie the contest. KK Madrey, with the bases loaded, battled to a full count before flying out to left field, ending the Liberty threat and sending the game to extra innings.

In the top of the eighth, the Aggies took advantage of a sixth Liberty error on what should have been the second out of the inning. Texas A&M would plate three runs in the inning before retiring Liberty in order to end the game and force a winner-take-all game seven.

Elena Escobar pitched 3.2 innings, allowing seven runs on 11 hits. Paige Bachman drew the loss, allowing seven runs, three of them earned, on seven hits in 4.1 innings of relief.

After Liberty chased the first two Texas A&M pitchers in the second, Kate Munnerlyn was strong in relief. She ended up allowing five runs on eight hits in five innings, with most of that damage coming in the sixth and seventh innings.

*photo courtesy Liberty Athletics

Since retiring from coaching, Nick Saban has been making waves in the media world, trying to make a difference with his strong opinions. Instead, the legendary Alabama coach is all over the headlines.

This time, it is not for a game plan but for a potential spot on a commission that could rewrite the rules of college sports as we know them. To make it even better, President Donald Trump started the whole thing.

Vague Paul Finebaum Interview Adds Fuel to Concerns Over Nick Saban’s True Intentions for College Athletics

Trump’s latest plan involves forming a presidential commission to oversee college athletics. This group would regulate everything, including transfer portal rules and NIL payments. It’s supposed to include major “stakeholders,” possibly businessmen with college football ties. Soon, all eyes turned to Saban, who just so happened to speak to the POTUS at Alabama’s commencement earlier this month. Quite the serendipity, isn’t it?

While Trump’s team is reportedly working on the changes, Saban’s responses so far have been rather confusing.

After the news hullabaloo, Nick Saban joined the famous analyst on ‘The Paul Finebaum Show’ to highlight the recent happenings. During the conversation, the seven-time national champ clarified that he’s not sold on the commission idea.

As Saban puts it, “I don’t know a lot about the commission,” he said, adding, “I’m not sure we really need one.”

Now, that is interesting, considering this is the same man who spent the last two years calling out the chaos of NIL deals and the wild west of the NCAA, the transfer portals. Now, that has left college football podcasters Joe DeLeone and Blake Ruffino asking questions. On the latest episode of The Ruffino & Joe Show, the two questioned the sudden change of heart.

“Can we trust that Nick Saban is doing this unselfishly?” DeLeone asked. “Why are you suddenly downplaying it now that there’s federal involvement?” But that is not all DeLeone said.

“You are that guy. You’ve been calling for change forever. And now that there’s a real chance, you’re backing off?” said Joe DeLeone. Black Ruffino quickly joined in and doubled down on the skepticism.

“These coaches say they want change. They lie their asses off,” said Ruffino. The frustration, however, is not just about what Nick Saban had said. It is about the whole college coaching world acting one way in public and another behind closed doors. Joe DeLeone and Blake Ruffino took the example of Kirby Smart to explain the duality.

With the college football legend suddenly toeing the line and a political wildcard ready to toss him the keys to the kingdom, it is no surprise that podcasters are throwing red flags. Is it a selfless act, or is it simply strategic? As Joe DeLeone put it, “We don’t know what the underlying motives are for Nick Saban and why he wants to have a hand in the future of college athletics.”

While Nick Saban insists he wants to “protect the game” and “create value” for student-athletes, critics insist that the abstractness is gutting. They still wonder if he’s talking as a mentor or a businessman protecting his turf. After all, even his solution was all over the place.

Saban vaguely mentioned the need for federal-level consistency, mumbled about the importance of Olympic sports, and insisted he didn’t want to be “at the tip” of the spear. Yet somehow, he’s in the middle of the conversation with Trump about leading the thing?

RELATED: Nick Saban’s Daughter Shares Emotional Reaction After Missing Major Golf Event With Father

However, if Saban’s going to help shape the future of college sports, fans, athletes, and critics alike are left asking one simple question: Can the world really trust him to do it for the right reasons? And if he’s staying quiet while the power shifts, maybe that silence is the loudest thing he’s ever said.

College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!

No. 3 seed Indiana’s season came to a close on Saturday night at Bogle Park in Fayetteville, Ark. as the Hoosiers fell to No. 2 Seed Oklahoma State, 16-8 in six innings.

Oklahoma State used a 12-run inning in the bottom of the third to pull ahead, 13-2.  With the loss, the Hoosiers finished the season at 34-20.

Indiana competed in three-straight NCAA Tournaments for the first time in program history.

Earlier in the day Saturday, Indiana edged No. 4 Seed Saint Louis, 4-2, in the day’s first elimination game at the NCAA Fayetteville Regional.

The elimination games were set up after a Friday opening game loss to Oklahoma State. After leading for much of that game, IU fell 11-6.  Oklahoma State used a 7-run sixth inning to rally after trailing 6-4 through four innings.

IU has averaged 39.3 wins per season under the direction of head coach Shonda Stanton.

The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”

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The first stage of the NCAA Tournament has concluded, and we are one step closer to crowning a champion of college softball. Following an exciting Regional round this weekend, the Super Regionals are set.

The second stage of the tournament will feature eight best of three series between Regional champions. These matchups will begin play on May 22 and conclude on May 26, if a game three is necessary. The winners of these two cities will meet in Oklahoma City at the 2025 Women’s College World Series later this month.

One of the biggest storylines to follow coming into the tournament is whether or not Patty Gasso and the Oklahoma Sooners can win a fifth-straight NCAA Championship. In their first-year in the SEC, they won the regular season outright and were co-SEC Tournament champions with Texas A&M after a weather delay turned into a cancellation of the conference championship game. Their road to the College World Series is not yet paved, though, and they’ll have some stiff competition if they want to achieve the ultra-rare five-peat.

2025 NCAA Softball Super Regional matchups

Eugene Super Regional: Liberty vs. No. 16 Oregon

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Norman Super Regional: No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 6 Alabama

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Gainesville Super Regional: No. 3 Florida vs. Georgia

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Fayetteville Super Regional: No. 4 Arkansas vs. Ole Miss

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Tallahassee Super Regional: No. 5 Florida State vs. No. 12 Texas Tech

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Austin Super Regional: No. 6 Texas vs. No. 11 Clemson

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Knoxville Super Regional: No. 7 Tennessee vs. Nebraska

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

Columbia Super Regional: No. 8 South Carolina vs. No. 9 UCLA

Game 1: TBD
Game 2: TBD
Game 3 (if necessary): TBD

All times ET.

2025 Women’s College World Series

May 29 through June 5 or 6 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The No. 24 Oklahoma State softball team dropped the Fayetteville Regional final to No. 4 national seed Arkansas, 12-0, at Bogle Park Sunday.  

The Cowgirls finished the season with a 35-20 record, while the Razorbacks advance to the NCAA Super Regional round at 43-12. 

Storms in the area produced a delay of more than four hours, as first pitch was originally slated for 3 p.m., but didn’t actually come until 7:15 p.m. 

Arkansas got off to a hot start with three runs in the first inning via two RBI singles and a run-scoring walk. The Razorbacks piled on three more runs in the third to break the game open. 

Arkansas took the contest into run rule territory in the sixth inning with six runs, highlighted by a three-run home run from Karlie Davison. 

For season-long coverage of Oklahoma State Softball, visit okstate.com and follow @CowgirlSB on X and @osusoftball on Instagram. For tickets, visit okstate.com/tickets  

or call 877-ALL-4-OSU. 

WP: R. Herron (18-6); LP: R. Meylan (21-10); SV: None 

HR: OSU – None 

HR: UA – Davison (4) 

Duration: 2:20; Attendance: 3,145 

The 2025 season is a milestone in the quickly changing landscape of college football. It’s the fourth season where NIL was a real factor for recruits in addition to college players. It probably feels like it’s been longer than that, but the first freshmen to get recruited with the concrete reality of compensation outside of scholarships are now seniors.

The free-transfer era is even younger than the NIL era, so we are still all trying to work out what the optimal strategy is for building a team in this time. A few folks like Lane Kiffin and Deion Sanders chose to bet big on transfers. Some, epitomized in the extreme by Dabo Swinney but also including some others, choose to stay big on high school recruiting with little portal supplementing. Most coaches have been somewhere in between.

Billy Napier went slowly at first, choosing not to try to do any serious roster flipping right after his hire in winter of 2021-22. He then had a couple a large portal years as he turned over a lot of the old Mullen recruits and got largely his own team in place.

By late in the 2024 season, Napier had weathered some serious September turmoil, much of it self-inflicted, to get back on more solid footing. He had a choice of whether to use Scott Strickin’s pre-Texas vote of confidence to try to load up on high school recruits or to hold scholarships back for more serious portal shopping. No one would’ve batted an eye if he’d chosen the latter route, given that the game result after Stricklin’s pronouncement dropped his team below .500 on the season.

And yet, he chose to go the former route and load up on high school players. He signed a bumper crop of 27 recruits with just five winter portal transfers and one spring portal transfer. He did try to get another nose tackle and safety in portal with no luck, so the fairly extreme 4.5-to-1 imbalance of signees to transfers is only mostly due to choice.

Even so, it’s very obvious from his actions that Napier is strongly on the side of wanting to build through traditional recruiting while using the transfer portal as a means to fill holes rather than a primary source of talent.

It’s also clear from the roster that Napier has largely achieved his vision of building through recruiting.

On offense, 19 members of what I project to be the top two lines of the depth chart have played nowhere else but Florida. There are 17 guys who signed with Napier out of high school or JUCO, two more who signed with Mullen, and just three transfers.

The two holdovers are starting offensive linemen Jake Slaughter and Austin Barber, both 2021 high school signees with the prior regime. Two of the transfers are also expected starters, RT Damieon George and WR J. Michael Sturdivant. Likely backup quarterback Harrison Bailey is a transfer, and the only other real option there is Yale transfer Aidan Warner. There is another high school signee besides starter DJ Lagway, but Tramell Jones will need some time to get ready. Not every quarterback can compete for a backup job in the SEC in his first season, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Those guys aside, though, all the rest of the starters and backups are Napier signees. There could be some question about whether Caden Jones might pass up Bryce Lovett at right tackle, since both won spring awards, but it doesn’t matter since they’re both Napier recruits. I also am not 100% sure right now whether Dallas Wilson or Aidan Mizell is going to be the third starting wideout when UF is in 11 personnel, but again, it doesn’t matter for these counting purposes. I do have Roderick Kearney as the backup at both offensive guard spots because I think he’s the next man up at those spots either way, so adjust as you need depending on your analysis of the OG spots.

There are double the transfers on defense, but it’s still a small share. UF has 15 Napier signees in my projected two-deep, plus one holdover and six transfers.

The holdover is Tyreak Sapp, a fellow ’21 signee with the two offensive linemen. Three projected starters are transfers in Caleb Banks, George Gumbs, and Pup Howard. The other three are backups, with Cormani McClain, Michael Carraway, and spring transfer DL Brendan Bett.

I’ve seen a few people slotting McClain in as a starter, but I’m not there yet unless Dijon Johnson misses time related to his recent arrest. I still think Devin Moore is the starter over McClain, but also the next season Moore completes healthy will be his first.

There are some questions about slotting like on offense, but not many. Will Aaron Gates or Sharif Denson play more snaps at Star? I don’t know, but both signed with Napier. Who will play the most alongside Howard at inside linebacker between Jaden Robinson, Myles Graham, and Aaron Chiles? I’d bet Graham for now, but again, for these purposes it doesn’t matter.

So those are the numbers for this year. How do they compare to last year? Well, I have just five transfers in the likely starting lineup for 2025. In Week 1’s official depth chart last year, there were six on offense alone: Graham Mertz, Montrell Johnson, Chimere Dike, Elijhah Badger, George, and Kam Waites (Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, another transfer, started most of the year). Three more regular transfer starters on defense — Banks, Howard, and Cam Jackson — meant that the 2024 starters had the same number of transfers as the entire likely two-deep this year. One extra, even, if Asa Turner hadn’t gotten hurt, or if you’re counting back-half starter Trikweze Bridges. That’s how big a change it is.

If you’re still with me by now, you’re probably wondering where my full two-deep is to look over. I didn’t put it here on purpose. If you’re more than 950 words into a detailed roster analysis piece in May, there’s probably little for me to add that you don’t already know.

And that’s kind of the point of this too. I’ve noted some spots of uncertainty, but there aren’t that many and most involve players you know. The Napier roster flip is complete. The depth chart is covered in familiar names, and there is a largely (though not entirely) experience-based pipeline established all around the roster.

There are some unusual aspects to the two-deep, like the backups at safety likely being true freshmen due to graduations, Greg Smith leaving, and no safeties entering via the portal. There are some question marks, which I discussed above.

However largely, the top 22 on both sides of the ball are familiar faces in familiar places. I have no breaking news, no inside information to blow your mind with in regards to this team.

It’s totally and completely Napier’s team, with even the few remaining holdovers having spent over three times as much time under his and his staff’s tutelage than they did with the prior regime. There has been plenty of time to address any issues remaining from a head coach who was fired in no small part because he didn’t recruit hard enough.

This is it. This is a Napier team through and through with very little gap-filling via the portal anymore. We’re all about to find out how well a fully Napier-built Florida team can compete in the SEC and on the national stage.