#3 National Seed

Norman Regional

2026 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament · Regional Round

#3 Seed·Norman Regional

Gasso Hosts In Norman — Don't Overthink It

Our Pick

Oklahoma

LOCK

Patty Gasso has Sydney Berzon (LSU transfer) anchoring a four-deep staff, plus Ella Parker hitting .421. Kansas freshman Boyer is one of the country's best young bats, and Michigan's Lauren Putz slugs .731 — but neither team has the pitching depth to win two games at OU Softball Complex.

OklahomaFAVORITE

BatElla Parker — .421 BA, 6 HR, 60 RBI

CircleSydney Berzon — 2x NFCA All-American

KansasTHREAT

BatElla Boyer (FR) — 18 HR (school record), .481 OBP

CircleLila Partridge (FR) — 3.93 ERA in league

McFalls is Big 12 Coach of the Year.

MichiganTHREAT

BatLauren Putz — .454 BA, 21 HR, 1.020 SLG

CircleGabby Ellis (Mercer transfer) — 11-5, 2.48 in 2025

Rebuilt staff post-Derkowski.

BinghamtonEASY OUT

BatRachel Carey — America East Tournament MOP

Repeat America East champ.

X-Factor

If Boyer or Putz homers twice in a game, OU gets pushed. Otherwise Berzon makes this a 2-day weekend.

National Seed

Host

Oklahoma

City

Norman, OK

Dates

May 15-17, 2026

Format

4-team double-elim

Bracket

Friday's first-round matchups

Game 1 — Fri 3:30 PM ET

Game 2 — Fri 6:00 PM ET

Winners meet Saturday at 2:30 PM ET. Losers play an elimination game at 12:00 PM ET. Regional championship Sunday at 12:00 PM ET, with an if-necessary game at 2:30 PM ET.

Schedule

All times Eastern

Game	Date	Time	Matchup	TV
Game 1	Fri, May 15	3:30 PM ET	Binghamton at Oklahoma	ESPN+
Game 2	Fri, May 15	6:00 PM ET	Michigan at Kansas	ESPN+
Game 3	Sat, May 16	12:00 PM ET	Loser G1 vs Loser G2 (Elimination)	ESPN+
Game 4	Sat, May 16	2:30 PM ET	Winner G1 vs Winner G2	ESPN+
Game 5	Sat, May 16	5:00 PM ET	Winner G3 vs Loser G4 (Elimination)	ESPN+
Game 6	Sun, May 17	12:00 PM ET	Regional Championship	ESPN2
Game 7	Sun, May 17	2:30 PM ET	Regional Championship (if necessary)	ESPN2

Path Forward

Super Regional pairing

The Norman Regional winner advances to face the winner of the Eugene Regional (#3 vs #14) in the Super Regional round May 21-24, hosted at the higher national seed (Oklahoma). Super Regionals are best-of-three; the winner advances to the Women’s College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, May 28 - June 5.

About the Host

Oklahoma

Oklahoma hosts the Norman Regional in Norman, OK as the #3 national seed of the 2026 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament. Hosting rights are awarded to the top 16 seeds, and the Oklahoma program earned its bid on the strength of its regular-season resume.

All games at this regional are played at the Oklahoma home softball venue, with first pitch on Friday, May 15 and the championship round on Sunday, May 17.