INDIANAPOLIS – Missouri Southern softball (48-7), the 2026 MIAA Regular-Season and Tournament Champions, has earned the top seed and will host the 2026 NCAA Division II Central Regional.
 
MSSU earned an automatic qualification and will face No. 8 seed Augustana (30-26) Thursday, May 14 at the Pat Lipira Softball Complex in Joplin, Missouri. First pitch is set for 3 p.m., CT.
 
Missouri Southern will make its 11th overall appearance in the regional tournament, and second-straight appearance (third in last four seasons). The Lions will host the Central Region for the first time since 2023.
 
No. 4 seed Southern Arkansas (46-7) and No. 5 seed St. Cloud State (46-13) will also compete in the Central Regional in Joplin, Missouri, playing Thursday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m.
 
Four teams will participate at each of the 16 regional sites in double-elimination tournaments, held May 14-16. Winners will advance to the super-regionals, slated for May 21-22. The finals will be held May 28-June 3 at Frost Stadium at Warner Park and will be hosted by Lee University, the University of North Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee.