Lander University

Softball 5/11/2026 11:44:00 AM Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

Lander Softball Earns Second NCAA Tournament Berth in Program History

GREENWOOD - The Lander softball team is headed back to the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in program history, as the Bearcats earned the No. 5 seed in the 2026 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional, the NCAA announced Monday morning.

Lander, who also earned the No. 5 seed in the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024, will open regional play against Peach Belt Conference foe and No. 4 seed Columbus State on Thursday, May 14, at 4:30 p.m. in Dahlonega, Ga.

The regional will be hosted by No. 1 seed North Georgia, which also enters the tournament ranked No. 5 nationally. The final team in the Dahlonega pod is No. 8 seed Lincoln Memorial.

The Bearcats enter postseason play with a 33-19 overall record after advancing to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals, where they fell to North Georgia over the weekend.

Columbus State enters the NCAA Tournament with a 35-21 overall mark after finishing as the runner-up in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament, falling to North Georgia 10-5 in the championship game.

Lincoln Memorial earned an automatic bid into the tournament after capturing the South Atlantic Conference Tournament championship with an 8-5 victory over Anderson University. The Railsplitters enter regional play at 25-22 overall and opened their SAC Tournament run with a 3-1 upset over top-seeded and nationally ranked Lenoir-Rhyne.

The Southeast Regional's second host site will be in Florence, S.C., where No. 2 seed Francis Marion will host the No. 3, No. 6, and No. 7 seeds.

The Southeast Regional will follow a double-elimination format, with the winners of the two regional sites advancing to the Super Regional round on May 21-22, with the highest remaining seed hosting. The Super Regional winner will advance to the 2026 NCAA Division II Softball Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn., held May 28 through June 3.

Southeast Regional - Dahlonega, Ga.

Thursday, May 14
2 p.m. - Game 1: No. 1 North Georgia vs. No. 8 Lincoln Memorial
4:30 p.m. - Game 2: No. 4 Columbus State vs. No. 5 Lander

Friday, May 15
Noon - Game 3: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
2:30 p.m. - Game 4: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (Elimination Game)
5 p.m. - Game 5: Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 (Elimination Game)

Saturday, May 16
Noon - Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5
If necessary - Game 7: Only if Game 5 winner defeats Game 6 winner

Tickets for the 2026 NCAA Division II Softball Southeast Regional can be purchased through the event website or at UNGAthletics.com/Tickets.

Ticket prices are $15 for general admission and $10 for seniors (65+), military members, and students. Children in fifth grade and under receive free admission. Daily tickets grant access to all games scheduled for that day. A ticket or event credential will be required for entry into Lynn Cottrell Park.

For more tournament information, including updated game times, live stats, and streaming links, click here.

Print Friendly Version