Lander Softball has made its second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, securing the No. 5 seed in the 2026 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional. They will face No. 4 seed Columbus State on Thursday, May 14, following their semifinal finish in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament. North Georgia, the top seed and ranked No. 5 nationally, will host the regional, featuring Lander alongside Lincoln Memorial and Columbus State. With a 33-19 record, Lander aims to advance further than in their 2024 tournament debut.

By the Numbers
  • Lander holds a 33-19 season record heading into the tournament.
  • Columbus State, their first opponent, has a record of 35-21.
Yes, But

While Lander aims for a stronger performance than their previous NCAA experience, the competition is steep, particularly with North Georgia's strong ranking and Columbus State's recent performance in their conference.

State of Play
  • The Southeast Regional follows a double-elimination format, increasing Lander's chances to secure a spot in the Super Regional.
  • The tournament will culminate with the NCAA Division II Softball Championship held in Chattanooga from May 28 to June 3.
What's Next

Lander will need to secure a victory against Columbus State to advance in the double-elimination bracket, aiming to face the winner of the North Georgia vs. Lincoln Memorial game.

Bottom Line

Lander's historic NCAA Tournament berth presents a critical opportunity to showcase their growth and competitiveness in collegiate softball, with potential implications for the program's future success.