LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas softball was selected to the 2026 NCAA Softball Tournament for the first time since 2015 and will play Michigan in the first round of the Norman Regional, it was announced during the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday.
The Jayhawks will take on the Michigan Wolverines in the first round of the Norman regional on Friday, May 15, at 5 p.m. CT from Love’s Field. Also selected to the Norman regional were Oklahoma, Michigan and Binghamton. Kansas’ selection to the NCAA Tournament marks the 13th appearance in program history and the first since 2015.
“It’s emotional. I mean, it’s obviously so exciting,” head coach Jennifer McFalls said. “My heart just bleeds so much for this senior class and all the players that have poured in all the work over the last couple of years. These junior and senior classes have been really special to me. They’ve been committed and loyal, and then obviously adding the freshman and sophomore classes to that, I think is just laying the foundation for what the future is for Kansas Softball.”
This is the first time Kansas has made the NCAA Tournament since 2015. Historically, the Jayhawks are 17-22 in the regional round, with their last win coming over Indiana State in 2015. Kansas is 0-2 all-time against Michigan, with Michigan winning the last matchup earlier this season 4-2 on February 8.
The Jayhawks enter the NCAA Tournament with a 35-19 record (14-10 Big 12), marking the most wins in a season since 2015. Kansas set program records for home runs (81), runs (361), doubles (94) and RBIs (342), among other statistical achievements.
Courtesy of KU Athletics