KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Softball has a chance to make program history this week against Kentucky and capture back-to-back SEC regular season titles for the first time in Tennessee history.
The Lady Vols (16-5) are currently pacing the pack heading into the final SEC series of the season, but they still have to contend with SEC challengers Texas A&M (15-6) and Florida (14-7), who are close behind in the standings. Florida hosts Texas A&M to close out the regular season schedule.
Tennessee has the inside track to finish at the top, but there are a handful of scenarios to explore as the season comes to a close.
Scenario 1: Tennessee sweeps all three games against Kentucky
This is the easiest scenario to break down, because a sweep in their final season series would guarantee the Lady Vols the outright regular season title and put it out of reach for any of the teams behind them in the standings.
Scenario 2: Tennessee wins two out of three games against Kentucky
This result would guarantee Tennessee at least a share of the regular season title, and Texas A&M could solidify itself as a co-champion with a sweep against Florida. If the Aggies get the sweep and Tennessee wins two games, both teams would finish 18-6.
Scenario 3: Tennessee wins one game against Kentucky
Tennessee would not only lose their first SEC series of the season if they could only get one win against Kentucky, but they would also lose out on a guarantee of at least a share of the regular season title. If Tennessee finishes the season 17-7, Texas A&M can win the outright regular season title with a sweep against Florida, and Florida can also become co-champions with Tennessee if the Gators come away with the sweep.
Scenario 4: Tennessee is swept by Kentucky
If Tennessee goes winless against the Wildcats, there is a situation where chaos may ensue. Texas A&M and Florida can both capture the outright regular season crown depending on the results of that series, but fourth-place Arkansas could also capture a share of the title. If Tennessee is swept, Florida wins two of three games against Texas A&M, and Arkansas gets a sweep against Ole Miss, then Tennessee, Florida, Texas A&M and Arkansas would all finish in a four-way tie at 16-8.
No. 3 Tennessee hosts No. 23 Kentucky for a three-game series starting Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. No. 13 Florida hosts No. 9 Texas A&M for a three-game series starting Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m. No. 12 Arkansas begins its series against Ole Miss on home field starting on Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m.
