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Georgia Tech Opens Softball Tourney vs Notre Dame

5/4/2026

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Summary

Georgia Tech Opens

Georgia Tech opens softball tournament vs. Notre Dame on May 6 at 11 a.m. on ACC Network.
Coach Aileen Morales guided Yellow Jackets, who entered 29-26 and 10-14 in ACC, to a 31st appearance and 40 tournament wins.
Top performers are Gracyn Tucker with 18 homers and Madalyn Johnson with 13 wins and six shutouts.
The $500 million “Full Steam Ahead” drive will fund upgrades to Bobby Dodd Stadium and Zelnak Basketball Center.

Summary

Florida State Clinches

Florida State clinched its 19th ACC regular-season title with an 8-0 win over Boston College on May 3 2026.
Senior infielder Isa Torres (.548 average, 16 homers, 85 hits, error-free) and junior outfielder Jaysoni Beachum (.392 average, eight homers, 59 RBI) led the offense.
Florida State will face the Notre Dame or Georgia Tech winner Thursday at 11 a.m. on the ACC Network.

Summary

ACC Softball Begins

The 2026 ACC Softball Championship runs May 6-9 at Palmer Park in Charlottesville, Virginia.
All-session passes cost $45, single-day tickets are $12-$20, and children under two enter free.
ACC Network will televise the first three rounds.
ESPN will carry the championship on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Six ACC teams rank in the latest ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll, led by No. 10 Florida State and including Duke (#11) and Louisville (#24).

Summary

Florida State Sweeps

Florida State can lock an outright ACC title by sweeping Boston College Sunday.
Top twelve ACC teams qualify, giving the four highest seeds a first-round bye.
The ACC champion gets the conference’s automatic berth in the 2026 NCAA softball tournament.
Virginia Tech, #20 RPI, must reach final to keep hopes of hosting an NCAA regional.
Duke’s coach Marissa Young leads the Blue Devils aiming for a third league crown.

History

Historical Context

Title IX, signed into law on June 23 1972 by Congress members Birch Bayh and Edith Green, required sex-non-discrimination in federally funded education, raising female college enrollment to 42 % and prompting growth in women’s athletics. Between 1981 and 1999, schools cut 171 men’s wrestling teams, while women’s programs expanded, a trend reflected in the ACC’s 2026 softball championship featuring Georgia Tech, Florida State and Notre Dame.

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Georgia Tech Opens

Georgia Tech opens softball tournament vs. Notre Dame on May 6 at 11 a.m. on ACC Network.
Coach Aileen Morales guided Yellow Jackets, who entered 29-26 and 10-14 in ACC, to a 31st appearance and 40 tournament wins.
Top performers are Gracyn Tucker with 18 homers and Madalyn Johnson with 13 wins and six shutouts.
The $500 million “Full Steam Ahead” drive will fund upgrades to Bobby Dodd Stadium and Zelnak Basketball Center.

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