Florida softball is entering rivalry week with crucial matchups against Florida State and Georgia. These games will impact national rankings and SEC Tournament seedings.
Key points
Florida softball faces Florida State and Georgia this week
Games impact national rankings and SEC Tournament seedings
Rivalry week is crucial for the Gators
Bragging rights are on the line
Florida GatorsFlorida StateGeorgia
How can Florida softball win the SEC? Plus national rankings update
The Gators saved some of their fiercest fierce opponents for the end of the season, and wrap up the regular portion of it this week with matchups vs. Florida State and Georgia.
Not only are bragging rights on the line, but the games hold big implications for national seedings, rankings and the SEC Tournament.
The Gators already completed three of the four steps on their top 25 Florida tour last week. UF swept UCF in dominant fashion by a combined 14-0 over the weekend. Olivia Miller was the star. The Orlando native shined in Orange County Saturday with a one hit, complete game shutout.
The Knights remain ranked in the NFCA and USA Softball Polls at No. 22 and 23, respectively.
Florida celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Q&A
What teams are Florida softball facing this week?
Florida softball is facing Florida State and Georgia this week.
How do the upcoming games affect Florida's national rankings?
The games against Florida State and Georgia will have significant implications for Florida's national seedings and rankings.
What is at stake for Florida softball in the SEC Tournament?
Bragging rights and crucial seedings for the SEC Tournament are at stake for Florida softball.
When does Florida softball's regular season end?
Florida softball's regular season wraps up this week.
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Florida celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Gabi Comia (10) celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida catcher Ella Wesolowski (74) scores durning an NCAA softball game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Kalie Matsuno (4) rounds third against Auburn durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) rounds third durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Former Florida basketball center Olivier Rioux chats with fans durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Former Florida basketball center Olivier Rioux chats with fans durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Auburn infielder Destiny Rodriguez (34) hits durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Kenleigh Cahalan (31) gets Auburn outfielder Georgia Lessmann (5) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Madison Walker (24) celebrates an out durning an NCAA softball game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Madison Walker (24) celebrates an out durning an NCAA softball game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida outfielder Townsen Thomas (44) hits Auburn durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida outfielder Townsen Thomas (44) hits Auburn durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) misses tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Gabi Comia (10) hits durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) takes the pitch durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) takes the pitch durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida infielder Kendall Grover (12) can’t beat the throw to Auburn 44 at first durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Florida catcher Jocelyn Erickson (8) celebrates making a run durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
1 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
1 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
2 / 22
Florida softball vs Auburn | Gators breeze past Tigers to win series
Florida celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
3 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida infielder Gabi Comia (10) celebrates their 9-1 win over Auburn after an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
4 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida catcher Ella Wesolowski (74) scores durning an NCAA softball game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
5 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida infielder Kalie Matsuno (4) rounds third against Auburn durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
6 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) rounds third durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
7 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Former Florida basketball center Olivier Rioux chats with fans durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
8 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Former Florida basketball center Olivier Rioux chats with fans durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
9 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Auburn infielder Destiny Rodriguez (34) hits durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
10 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida infielder Kenleigh Cahalan (31) gets Auburn outfielder Georgia Lessmann (5) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
11 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida infielder Madison Walker (24) celebrates an out durning an NCAA softball game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
12 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida infielder Madison Walker (24) celebrates an out durning an NCAA softball game against Auburn at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
13 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida outfielder Townsen Thomas (44) hits Auburn durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
14 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida outfielder Townsen Thomas (44) hits Auburn durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
15 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) misses tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
16 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
17 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Auburn infielder Alyssa Hastings (20) tags Florida outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) out at second durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
18 / 22
Florida softball vs Auburn series live updates | Gators face Tigers in rubber match
Florida infielder Gabi Comia (10) hits durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
19 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) takes the pitch durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
20 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida outfielder Cassidy McLellan (22) takes the pitch durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
21 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida infielder Kendall Grover (12) can’t beat the throw to Auburn 44 at first durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
22 / 22
Florida softball routs Auburn in Game 1 of SEC series. See the photos!
Florida catcher Jocelyn Erickson (8) celebrates making a run durning an NCAA softball game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, April 17, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Unfortunately for Florida, the 3-1 loss in Tallahassee on Wednesday dropped them in most national rankings. In all four polls, the Gators are right on the Super Regional hosting line. However, the all-important RPI still has the Orange and Blue at No. 5, where they’ve sat steady for over a week.
Anything but an 0-4 week should lock up a top eight seed for the Gators heading into the SEC Tournament.
As for that, UF can still win the regular season crown…or finish as low as No. 7 in the conference.
Here’s the complete scenarios, plus a full rankings update.
How can Florida softball win the SEC?
With No. 4/3 Alabama losing two of out of three to No. 8/9 Tennessee, No. 6/8 Florida moved into a tie for second place in the conference with the Crimson Tide. The two didn't play this season, so the next tiebreaker is record vs. the highest seeded common opponent. That would be the Volunteers. UF won two of three from the Vols, giving the Gators the tiebreaker.
No. 1/1 Oklahoma, though, still leads the conference and can still win the conference with just one win this weekend. The Sooners travel to No. 14/12 Texas A&M. OU holds the tiebreaker over Florida.
A sweep over No. 17/14 Georgia locks up the second seed at worst for the Gators, while a Bulldogs sweep can send the squad to as low as a seven seed. Alabama hosts RV/No. 21 South Carolina, No. 10/7 Arkansas visits No. 7/5 Texas and Tennessee travels to Missouri.
Florida softball ranking update — Post FSU/UCF April 28
National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NCFA): No. 6 (-1)
No. 17/14 Georgia: Thursday, April 30 (6 p.m., SEC Network+); Friday, May 1 (6 p.m., SEC Network+); Saturday, May 2 (12 p.m., ESPN)
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter.
