INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - On Monday morning, the NCAA announced the field for the 2026 Division III Softball Championship and for the second consecutive season the Saint Mary's softball team (36-6) was selected to host the tournament's first round Regional. It was a thrilling wait for the Cardinals as they were one of the final four teams to be announced.

The tournament is scheduled to start this Thursday, May 14-16 at the SMU Softball Field.

The Cardinals, ranked 11th in the NPI, will open up the four team regional facing UW-Stevens Point Pointers (30-13), ranked 50th, on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. CT. Following game one, Bethany Lutheran Vikings (32-9), ranked 36th, will play the Calvin Knights (30-13), ranked 33rd, at 2:30 p.m. CT.

Saint Mary's is no stranger to hosting this large scale event. The Cardinals are excited to welcome three teams from across the three different states as they hosted the programs first ever regional a season ago. A season where the Cardinals finished the postseason winning the Winona Regional and going on to win the Winona Super Regional for their second trip to the College World Series. 

Head softball coach John Tschida expresses that the team and the community is happy to be back home.

"This is good for our kids and their families," said Tschida. "Hosting is easier for our amazing supporters to have the chance to watch."

"We hope to have more family, friends, the community, and the young teams in the area come to support, we have such a strong community of softball." 

It will be a memorable experience for everyone involved as we get set for an exciting weekend of softball.

The double elimination bracket will continue Friday and Saturday with the regional winner advancing to the Super Regional May 21-23. 

NCAA III SAINT MARY'S (WINONA) REGIONAL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Day 1 - Thursday, May 14

Game 1: Saint Mary's vs. Wis.-Stevens Point - 11 AM

Game 2: Calvin vs. Bethany Lutheran - 1:30 PM

Day 2 - Friday, May 15

Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 - 11 AM

Game 4 (elimination): Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 - 1:30 PM

Game 3 (elimination): Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3 - 4:00 PM

Day 3 - Saturday, May 18

Game 6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5 - 11 AM

Game 7 (if necessary): Game 6 Teams - 1:30 PM

For more information regarding the NCAA DIII Softball Tournament and the Winona Regional will be found on the Saint Mary's athletics website, here.