Missouri softball fails to make NCAA regional for second straight year

Q: Why did Missouri softball fail to make the NCAA regional in 2026?

Missouri softball's failure to qualify for the NCAA regional in 2026 is attributed to a lack of performance consistency throughout the season.

Q: How many years has Missouri softball not made the NCAA regional?

Missouri softball has not made the NCAA regional for two straight years.

Q: What are the implications of Missouri softball missing the NCAA regional?

Missing the NCAA regional can impact recruiting, team morale, and the overall perception of the program's competitiveness.

Q: What changes might Missouri softball consider after missing the NCAA regional again?

Missouri softball may consider coaching changes, player recruitment strategies, or program restructuring to improve future performance.

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes guard Tre Donaldson (3) reacts before the game to start against the Missouri Tigers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers guard T.O. Barrett (5) falls out of bounds against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes forward Shelton Henderson (7) goes for a layup as Missouri Tigers guard Jayden Stone (17) defends during the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Jayden Stone (17) reacts after a play during the first half against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes guard Tru Washington (10) looks to pass during the first half against the Missouri Tigers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates looks on during the first half against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Anthony Robinson II (0) reacts after a three pointer during the first half against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes forward Shelton Henderson (7) takes a shot at the basket against Missouri Tigers forward Jevon Porter (14) during the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes center Ernest Udeh Jr. (8) attempts to block a shot by Missouri Tigers center Shawn Phillips Jr. (15) during the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes head coach Jai Lucas reacts during the first half against Missouri Tigers during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes guard Tre Donaldson (3) goes for a layup during the first half against Missouri Tigers forward Mark Mitchell (25) during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Jayden Stone (17) defends against Miami (FL) Hurricanes forward Shelton Henderson (7) during the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers forward Trent Pierce (11) and Missouri Tigers guard Jayden Stone (17) warm up before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers guard T.O. Barrett (5) and Missouri Tigers guard Jayden Stone (17) warm up before the game during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Jayden Stone (17) dunks the ball during the first half against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Tru Washington #10 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes goes for a layup during the first half against the Missouri Tigers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Shawn Phillips Jr. #15 of the Missouri Tigers attempts a layup against Ernest Udeh Jr. #8 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Shawn Phillips Jr. #15 of the Missouri Tigers is fouled by Malik Reneau #5 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Mark Mitchell #25 of the Missouri Tigers is fouled by Tre Donaldson #3 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: T.O. Barrett #5 of the Missouri Tigers reacts after leaping into media row during the first half against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: T.O. Barrett #5 of the Missouri Tigers leaps into media row during the first half against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Dante Allen #35 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes and T.O. Barrett #5 of the Missouri Tigers collide during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: T.O. Barrett #5 of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the ball up the court during the first half against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Tru Washington #10 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes passes the ball during the first half against the Missouri Tigers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Trent Pierce #11 of the Missouri Tigers attempts a layup during the first half against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Anthony Robinson II #0 of the Missouri Tigers attempts a layup against Ernest Udeh Jr. #8 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Mark Mitchell #25 of the Missouri Tigers and Ernest Udeh Jr. #8 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes go after a rebound during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: T.O. Barrett #5 of the Missouri Tigers takes a shot against Timotej Malovec #88 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Head coach Jai Lucas of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes reacts during the first half against the Missouri Tigers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Timotej Malovec #88 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes grabs a rebound against Trent Burns #7 of the Missouri Tigers during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Anthony Robinson II #0 of the Missouri Tigers reacts after making a 3-pointer during the first half against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Shelton Henderson #7 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes and Jacob Crews #35 of the Missouri Tigers battle for a rebound during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Mark Mitchell #25 of the Missouri Tigers shoots a free throw during the first half against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Anthony Robinson II #0 of the Missouri Tigers dribbles the ball against Dante Allen #35 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Trent Pierce #11 of the Missouri Tigers walks the court during the first half against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Ernest Udeh Jr. #8 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes, Mark Mitchell #25 and Jayden Stone #17 of the Missouri Tigers go after a rebound in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Dante Allen #35 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes is fouled by T.O. Barrett #5 of the Missouri Tigers during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: T.O. Barrett #5 of the Missouri Tigers and Timotej Malovec #88 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes go after a rebound during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - MARCH 20: Malik Reneau #5 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes and Trent Pierce #11 of the Missouri Tigers go for a rebound during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center on March 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

1 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

1 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

2 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

3 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

4 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

5 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

6 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

7 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

8 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

9 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

10 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

11 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

12 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

13 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

14 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

15 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

16 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

17 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

18 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

19 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

20 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

21 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

22 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

23 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

24 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

25 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

26 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

27 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

28 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

29 / 44

Ranking Missouri basketball transfer portal needs. What's top priority?

30 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

31 / 44

When does basketball transfer portal open? What Mizzou fans need to know

32 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

33 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

34 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

35 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

36 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

37 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

38 / 44

Missouri basketball live transfer portal tracker, signings, departures, offers

39 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

40 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

41 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

42 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

43 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

44 / 44

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

Missouri softball will not make an NCAA Regional for the second straight year.

In a must-win spot to keep its season alive, 11-seeded Mizzou lost 6-2 to 14-seed Auburn in the opening round of the SEC Softball Tournament on Tuesday in Lexington, Kentucky. MU had a two-run lead heading into the sixth inning but gave up six unanswered runs across the final two innings.

The loss means Mizzou’s record dropped to 28-29 this season. To qualify for at-large NCAA Tournament consideration, teams must have a .500 record at the end of their conference tournament.

Missouri does not have any more opportunities to reach .500 this year, as the SEC Softball Tournament is a single-elimination format. With a win over Auburn, Mizzou was guaranteed to finish with a qualifying record.

Mizzou likely would have received an at-large berth for an NCAA Regional if it had defeated Auburn on Tuesday. It had wins over the No. 1 and 2 teams, Arkansas and Alabama, in the NCAA Softball RPI standings, where it was ranked No. 36 nationally. Last season, every eligible SEC team made a regional.

It has been 24 years since Mizzou failed to earn a regional berth in back-to-back seasons.

The last time MU did not make an NCAA Regional for two straight years was in 2001 and 2002 under then-head coach Jay Miller, per the team’s record book. The last time Mizzou finished two straight seasons with a losing record was in 1978-79.

Missouri fell short of a regional berth in 2025 with a 25-31 record and a loss to Ole Miss in the first round of the SEC Tournament.

May 9, 2024; Auburn, AL, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Larissa Anderson speaks with an umpire during the game against the Florida Gators in the SEC Softball Championship game at Jane B. Moore Field. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Mizzou softball head coach Larissa Anderson had her contract extended after the 2024 season, when MU fell one game short of making the Women’s College World Series. Her current deal is signed through June 2028. She is expected to earn a base salary of $375,000 between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.

Her base salary increases to $400,000 beginning July 1 2026 and $425,000 beginning July 1, 2027, which is the final year of her current deal.

Before June 30, 2026, Missouri would owe Anderson 75% of her remaining base salary to terminate her contract without cause. After July 1, the buyout amount drops to 50% of her remaining base salary.

Mizzou finished this season 28-29, including a 9-15 mark in SEC regular season play.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri softball’s season ends after late blown lead to Auburn

Missouri softball fails to make NCAA regional for second straight year

TL;DR

Key points

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

Ranking Missouri basketball transfer portal needs. What's top priority?

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

When does basketball transfer portal open? What Mizzou fans need to know

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

Missouri basketball live transfer portal tracker, signings, departures, offers

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

See our Missouri basketball vs Miami (FL) photo gallery from March Madness

Q&A

Related Articles

Mavs' Masai Ujiri reveals whether he would've traded Luka Doncic

Vikings Earn Surprise Spot on Super Bowl List

‘It’s going to be truly amazing to see what happens’: Tim Bradley breaks down Xander Zayas vs Boots Ennis

Burrull y el posible penalti a Giuliano: "No lo veo para señalar penalti"

Al Hilal pone contra las cuerdas a Cristiano

Mayweather-Pacquiao bout won't be held at the Sphere on Sept. 19 due to an Eagles concert, putting rematch further in doubt

More from Sports