JOPLIN, Mo. – Only 16 softball teams remain in the 2026 NCAA Division II postseason. Missouri Southern State University hosts the University of Central Oklahoma in the 2026 NCAA Central Super Regional Championship, May 21-22, at the Lions’ Pat Lipira Softball Complex. The winner of the best-of-three series will advance to the final rounds of the 2026 NCAA Division II Softball National Championship, held May 28 – June 3 in Chattanooga, Tenn.
 
No. 5-ranked Missouri Southern (51-7) collected three straight wins in the NCAA Central Region I Tournament, hosted by the Lions in Joplin, to advance to the Super Regional Championship. No. 11-ranked Central Oklahoma (54-14) went 4-1 in the NCAA Central Region II Tournament, hosted by Pittsburg State University, to also advance to the Super Regional Championship round.
 
Game one of the best-of-three series is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 20. The Lions and Bronchos will then return to the Pat Lipira Softball Complex for game two at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 21, with the “if necessary” game to follow.
 
Softball fans can purchase tickets to the Super Regional Championship on site only. Tickets will be sold for $5. MIAA fans unable to make the trip to Joplin can follow the action with live stats and video provided by NCAA.com.
 
Central Oklahoma owns an overall record of 39-11 over the Lions in a series that dates back to 1985. Missouri Southern, the 2025 MIAA regular season and tournament champion, swept a home doubleheader over the Bronchos on April 25 in the regular season league meeting, winning 6-3 and 6-1 while allowing just nine total hits. The Bronchos and Lions have never met in an NCAA playoff game. 
 
The winner of the NCAA Central Super Regional Championship will join seven other super regional champions in the final rounds of the 2026 NCAA Division II Softball National Championship, hosted May 28 – June 3 at Frost Stadium at Warner Park in Chattanooga, Tenn. 
 
The Bronchos have qualified for the Division II Championship Finals in 2006, 2012, 2013, 2023 and 2025, winning the NCAA Division II national championship in 2013. Missouri Southern has qualified for the Division II Championship Finals in 1990 and 1992, winning the NCAA Division II national title in 1992.
 
For more information about the 2026 NCAA Central Super Regional Championship hosted by Missouri Southern, visit MSSULions.com. To view the seven other Super Regional Championship match-ups and find more information on the 2026 NCAA Division II Softball National Championship, visit NCAA.com.