College softball games are played over seven innings. This is the standard format used across all levels of college softball, including NCAA Division I, and is consistent with high school and professional softball as well
. Each inning is divided into two halves: the "top" half where the visiting team bats and the "bottom" half where the home team bats. Each half-inning ends when the defensive team records three outs
. If the score is tied after the seven regulation innings, the game goes into extra innings, continuing until one team leads after a completed inning
. Additionally, college softball has a mercy rule (run-ahead rule) that can end the game early if a team leads by eight or more runs after five innings have been completed
. In summary:
- Standard length: 7 innings
- Extra innings if tied after 7 innings
- Mercy rule can end game after 5 innings with an 8-run lead
This seven-inning structure is the official and widely accepted format for college softball games.
