Louisville softball has secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament as the No. 8 regional seed and will compete in the Lincoln Regional against Grand Canyon. This marks the program's 16th NCAA Tournament appearance.
Key points
Louisville softball is a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament
They will play Grand Canyon in the Lincoln Regional
The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Friday
This is Louisville's 16th NCAA Tournament appearance
Louisville softball makes NCAA Tournament as No. 8 regional seed
Louisville softball has earned an NCAA Tournament berth as a No. 8 seed and is headed to the Lincoln Regional, hosted by top-seeded Nebraska. The Cardinals will play Grand Canyon at 4 p.m. Friday on ESPNU.
Nebraska and South Dakota are the other two teams facing off in the other first-round game of the double-elimination opening stage of the 64-team tournament.
This is the 16th time in program history that Louisville has made the NCAA Tournament, and the first time since 2023.
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals pitcher Alyssa Zabala (13) pitches the ball in the third inning against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals infielder Easton Lotus (12) hits the ball against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals outfielder Chelsea Mack (10) catches the ball for an out in the third inning against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Q&A
When does Louisville softball play Grand Canyon in the NCAA Tournament?
Louisville softball will play Grand Canyon at 4 p.m. on Friday.
Who are the other teams in the Lincoln Regional with Louisville softball?
The other teams in the Lincoln Regional are Nebraska and South Dakota.
How many times has Louisville softball made the NCAA Tournament?
Louisville softball has made the NCAA Tournament 16 times in its history.
What is the significance of Louisville being a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament?
Being a No. 8 seed indicates Louisville is considered a strong team, facing off against lower-seeded opponents in the tournament.
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May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals outfielder Chelsea Mack (10) celebrates with Cardinals infielder Taylor Monroe (34) after an out in the third inning against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals pitcher Alyssa Zabala (13) pitches the ball in the third inning against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals infielder Easton Lotus (12) hits the ball against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals utility Addy O'Dell (3) throws the ball over Cardinals outfielder Chelsea Mack (10) against the NC State Wolfpack in the second inning at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals outfielder Chelsea Mack (10) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after score a run agains the NC State Wolfpack in the first inning at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
1 / 8
Louisville softball plays NC State in the ACC Tournament. See photos
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals pitcher Alyssa Zabala (13) pitches the ball in the third inning against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
1 / 8
Louisville softball plays NC State in the ACC Tournament. See photos
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals pitcher Alyssa Zabala (13) pitches the ball in the third inning against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
2 / 8
Louisville softball plays NC State in the ACC Tournament. See photos
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals infielder Easton Lotus (12) hits the ball against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
3 / 8
Louisville softball plays NC State in the ACC Tournament. See photos
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals outfielder Chelsea Mack (10) catches the ball for an out in the third inning against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
4 / 8
Louisville softball plays NC State in the ACC Tournament. See photos
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals outfielder Chelsea Mack (10) celebrates with Cardinals infielder Taylor Monroe (34) after an out in the third inning against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
5 / 8
Louisville softball plays NC State in the ACC Tournament. See photos
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals pitcher Alyssa Zabala (13) pitches the ball in the third inning against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
6 / 8
Louisville softball plays NC State in the ACC Tournament. See photos
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals infielder Easton Lotus (12) hits the ball against the NC State Wolfpack at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
7 / 8
Louisville softball plays NC State in the ACC Tournament. See photos
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals utility Addy O'Dell (3) throws the ball over Cardinals outfielder Chelsea Mack (10) against the NC State Wolfpack in the second inning at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
8 / 8
Louisville softball plays NC State in the ACC Tournament. See photos
May 6, 2026; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals outfielder Chelsea Mack (10) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after score a run agains the NC State Wolfpack in the first inning at Palmer Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Louisville finished the season 44-12 overall and 18-6 in conference play. The Cardinals placed fifth in the ACC before falling to Stanford in extra innings during the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament after rallying past N.C. State in the opening round.
The Cardinals are led by a trio of hitters batting over .400 this season. Left fielder Madison Pickens leads the way with a .470 batting average, 73 RBIs and 10 home runs.
Center fielder Chelsea Mack is batting .445 with 10 RBIs and one home run, while catcher Bri Despines is hitting .410 with 70 RBIs and a team-leading 11 home runs.
All three started in each of Louisville's 56 games this season.
This story will be updated.
Reach sports trending writer Alaina Morris atamorris@gannett.comand follow her on X at @alainammorris.
