Kansas softball reaches NCAA tournament for 1st time since 2015

LAWRENCE — For the first time since 2015, Kansas softball is going to be competing in the NCAA tournament.

The Jayhawks (35-19) are heading to the Norman Regional, hosted by national powerhouse Oklahoma. The Sooners earned one of four No. 1 seeds. Also in the regional Michigan and Binghamton. KU will open up with a game Friday at 5 p.m. (CT) against Michigan.

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“I remember meeting with (director of athletics and vice chancellor) Travis Goff in the fall and telling him, I think we have a chance to be really good,” Kansas coach Jennifer McFalls told reporters. “If we stay healthy, and all the things continue to come together like they were, or possibly could, then I thought we had a real chance to get ourselves into postseason.

"And so, obviously, it’s paid off and it’s been really exciting to see that. And I think, more than anything, this team just needed some confidence and to be able to look in the mirror and realize they were really good.”

Kansas heads into the NCAA tournament after reaching the semifinals of the Big 12 Conference tournament. The Jayhawks defeated UCF in the quarterfinals before ultimately being eliminated by Texas Tech. Arizona State, though, would go on to win the Big 12 tournament with a victory against the Red Raiders.

It will be challenging for Kansas to advance past this NCAA regional. However, if KU does make it through, it would head to a Super Regional. The group of four teams that would have the Jayhawks’ next opponent, in that case, includes No. 4 seed Oregon, No. 5 seed Mississippi State, Saint Mary’s and Idaho State.

Kansas softball has earned the opportunity to compete in a NCAA regional in 2026.

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.