How long is an NCAA softball game, excluding extra innings?

In NCAA softball, a standard game consists of seven innings. This format allows teams to have a fair opportunity to score across a complete game length, fostering competition and strategy while providing adequate time for both the offensive and defensive plays.

The rules stipulate that if the game is tied at the end of the seventh inning, it will proceed into extra innings to determine a winner. While some other formats or levels of softball might have different inning counts, the NCAA specifically adheres to a seven-inning structure for its games. This structure is essential for players, coaches, and fans to understand as it sets expectations for game length and strategy throughout the match.