No. 15 Softball’s 2025 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Game to be Televised on MLB Network
1/23/2025 12:11:00 PM | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – No. 15 ranked University of Missouri softball's 2025 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic game against No. 8 Duke will be broadcasted live on MLB Network, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced Thursday.
The Tigers will face Duke in a 2024 NCAA Super Regionals rematch Saturday, Feb. 8 at noon, CT (1 p.m., ET) on Field 8 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Florida.
Mizzou and Duke will commence the tripleheader of games on MLB Network Feb. 8.
The contest will be followed by Nebraska versus Texas Tech at 3 p.m., CT with the potential head-to-head matchup between NFCA All-America pitchers Jordy Bahl and NiJaree Canady. It concludes at 6 p.m., CT with Tennessee taking on Northwestern, who have combined for 14 Women's College World Series appearances, most recently in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Mizzou, the 2024 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Champions, will be featured on MLB Network for a second-straight season. The Tigers downed Liberty, 10-1, in five-innings in the second of three games on MLB Network Feb. 10.
Back for a second year, NFCA Official Sponsor Major League Baseball will team up with GameChanger and the Association to broadcast three games, Saturday, Feb. 8, on MLB Network.
"Following last year's groundbreaking success of carrying live softball on MLB Network for the first time, we're excited to continue the momentum with the NFCA in 2025," said Marc Caiafa, MLB Network's Senior Vice President of Production. "There's no denying that youth softball and baseball continues to grow, so for us to nationally showcase some of the best collegiate teams in the entire country will make it a fantastic day on our air."
To watch this tripleheader on MLB Network, viewers can visit www.mlbnetwork.com for their local channel listings. Last season's three-game broadcast made history as the first live collegiate softball televised on MLB Network.
Mizzou's four other NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic games will also be streamed on GameChanger, through the GameChanger app (free), which you can watch on your phone, tablet and desktop. Click on the Tournament Central link for all team links and directions on how to watch.
Games on Fields 1 through 4 will feature a single camera live feed through the GameChanger app. Follow the NFCA on social media for tournament updates and information.
Contests on Fields 8 & 9 will feature a multi-camera broadcast with play-by-play and analysis.
Please note that viewers who are unable to access the broadcasts on MLB Network, can still watch the games on the GameChanger app for free.
As the sole streaming provider, NFCA Official Sponsor GameChanger will run video livestreams for all 44 contests (six fields) Feb. 6-9 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Florida.
"For softball coaches, student-athletes, and fans there is nothing more exciting than hearing the words 'Play Ball!' at the start of the season," said NFCA CEO Carol Bruggeman. "Thanks to our Official Sponsors GameChanger and MLB, we are thrilled to bring every pitch of the 2025 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Tournament presented by Max BP FREE to the softball community. GameChanger is a trusted livestream provider in the softball space and is dedicated to providing a first-class experience to our viewers. Additionally, we feel honored to have our Saturday tripleheader broadcast on MLB Network for the second consecutive year. This opportunity will showcase our exciting sport and expand our reach to a broader audience."
2025 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic participating teams:
Bethune-Cookman • Duke • Iowa • Nebraska • Kentucky • Marshall • Mississippi State • Missouri • Morgan State • Nebraska • Northwestern • Notre Dame • Penn State • Pittsburgh • Southern Miss • Tennessee • Texas Tech
NEXT UP
- Mizzou will open its 2025 campaign at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida, Feb. 7 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex against Marshall and Northwestern.
2025 SEASON TICKETS
- General admission BERM season tickets are currently on sale at mutigers.com/SBtix
FOLLOW THE TIGERS
- For all the latest on Mizzou Softball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team @MizzouSoftball (X, Instagram, Facebook).
