The 12th annual Midstate Classic is returning to Maury County on April 13, 2027, with Tennessee softball set to face off against another in-state foe.
The Lady Vols will take on Belmont in the headlining game from Ridley Sports Complex, its second straight Midstate Classic matchup against a Middle Tennessee-based program, having defeated Austin Peay last season.
“We are so excited to head to Columbia to face Tennessee,” Belmont coach Laura Matthews said in a news release. “It’s a unique experience, and we are excited to compete in front of a community who has really gotten behind softball.”
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Through the Midstate Classic, Columbia is the state’s only city outside of Knoxville to host the Lady Vols annually, doing so as part of a day-long softball celebration, which opens with a local high school matchup between Columbia Central and Spring Hill before two local community colleges square off ahead of Tennessee’s game.
This year’s Midstate Classic brought an estimated crowd of roughly 3,000 fans, many of which dawning the uniform of former Lady Vols outfielder and Columbia area standout Saviya Morgan. Morgan has since transferred to South Carolina, but that will do little to diminish the excitement as coach Karen Weekly and the Lady Vols return to Maury County.
“We’re excited to once again be coming to Columbia, Tennessee for the Midstate Classic,” Weekly said. “Laura Matthews has done a fantastic job building Belmont into an excellent program and we know it will be a great game.”
The Lady Vols were dominate throughout last season, finishing 49-12 and reaching the Women’s College World Series before falling to eventual national champion Texas. Belmont went 41-16 last season, winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament for a berth in the NCAA regional.
“The Midstate Classic has become a tradition our community looks forward to each year,” city manager Tony Massey said. “Welcoming nationally recognized programs like Tennessee and Belmont showcases the quality of Ridley Sports Complex while creating an unforgettable experience for residents and visitors.”
Harrison Campbell covers high school sports and more for The Daily Herald. Email him at hcampbell@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @hccamp.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Tennessee softball to face Belmont in 2027 Midstate Classic in Maury County
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