South Carolina softball, a No. 2 seed, will face Cal State Fullerton in the NCAA Tournament Los Angeles regional on May 15. The Gamecocks aim for a strong performance after a near Women's College World Series appearance last season.
Key points
South Carolina softball is a No. 2 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament
The Gamecocks will play Cal State Fullerton on May 15
UCLA is the host team and No. 8 overall seed
Ashley Chastain Woodard is in her second season as head coach
South Carolina was one out away from the Women's College World Series last season
Mentioned in this story
Ashley Chastain Woodard
South Carolina GamecocksCal State Fullerton TitansNCAA Tournament 2026UCLA Bruins
South Carolina softball to play Cal State Fullerton in NCAA Tournament Los Angeles regional
The Gamecocks (30-26) will play Cal State Fullerton on May 15 in the Los Angeles Regional. UCLA is the No. 8 overall seed and the host team.
Coach Ashley Chastain Woodard is in her second season with the program. In her first year, South Carolina hosted a super regional for the first time in program history as the No. 8 overall seed and was one out away from a Women's College World Series appearance. The Gamecocks ultimately lost to UCLA in Game 3 of the Columbia Super Regional, ending the season 44-17.
South Carolina lost 2-0 to Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament and is heading into this year's tournament on a four-game losing streak.
South Carolina senior Jori Heard (25) pitches to Clemson during the bottom of the fifth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
Q&A
When does South Carolina softball play Cal State Fullerton in the NCAA Tournament?
South Carolina softball will play Cal State Fullerton on May 15 in the NCAA Tournament Los Angeles regional.
What seed is South Carolina softball in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?
South Carolina softball is a No. 2 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Who is the head coach of South Carolina softball?
The head coach of South Carolina softball is Ashley Chastain Woodard, who is in her second season with the program.
What was South Carolina softball's record last season?
Last season, South Carolina softball finished with a record of 44-17.
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South Carolina senior Jamie Mackay (20) is congratulaed by teammates after her solo home run during the top of the seventh inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
South Carolina senior Jamie Mackay (20) rounds third in her home run jog, as Clemson junior pitches Sierra Maness (7) looks away during the top of the seventh inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
South Carolina sophomore Nia McKnight (22) slides safely into third under the tag of Clemson freshman Sarah Breaux (66) during the top of the sixth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
Clemson and South Carolina fans fill the stands during the bottom of the second inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
South Carolina junior Karley Shelton (33) bats during the top of the third inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
South Carolina players stay warmed up between innings during the top of the third inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
State, U.S. and Clemson flags flying during the bottom of the third inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
Clemson sophomore Taylor Pipkins (22) bats against South Carolina senior Jori Heard (25) during the bottom of the third inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
South Carolina players cheer for their team leading 2-0 during the top of the fourth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
Clemson and South Carolina fans cheer for their teams during the bottom of the fourth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
The Tiger Band plays near sunset in a game with South Carolina softball during the bottom of the fourth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
Clemson junior Sierra Maness (7) pitches to South Carolina during the top of the fifth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
South Carolina senior Quincy Lilio (43) makes a running catch against Clemson during the bottom of the fifth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
South Carolina senior Jamie Mackay (20) is congratulaed by teammates after her solo home run during the top of the seventh inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
Clemson sophomore Macey Cintron (16) is congratulated for her home run against South Carolina during the top of the seventh inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
Clemson sophomore Macey Cintron (16) is congratulated for her home run against South Carolina during the top of the seventh inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
1 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
South Carolina senior Jori Heard (25) pitches to Clemson during the bottom of the fifth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
1 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
South Carolina senior Jori Heard (25) pitches to Clemson during the bottom of the fifth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
2 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
South Carolina senior Jamie Mackay (20) is congratulaed by teammates after her solo home run during the top of the seventh inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
3 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
South Carolina senior Jamie Mackay (20) rounds third in her home run jog, as Clemson junior pitches Sierra Maness (7) looks away during the top of the seventh inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
4 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
South Carolina sophomore Nia McKnight (22) slides safely into third under the tag of Clemson freshman Sarah Breaux (66) during the top of the sixth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
5 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
Clemson and South Carolina fans fill the stands during the bottom of the second inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
6 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
South Carolina junior Karley Shelton (33) bats during the top of the third inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
7 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
South Carolina players stay warmed up between innings during the top of the third inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
8 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
State, U.S. and Clemson flags flying during the bottom of the third inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
9 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
Clemson sophomore Taylor Pipkins (22) bats against South Carolina senior Jori Heard (25) during the bottom of the third inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
10 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
South Carolina players cheer for their team leading 2-0 during the top of the fourth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
11 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
Clemson and South Carolina fans cheer for their teams during the bottom of the fourth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
12 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
The Tiger Band plays near sunset in a game with South Carolina softball during the bottom of the fourth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
13 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
Clemson junior Sierra Maness (7) pitches to South Carolina during the top of the fifth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
14 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
South Carolina senior Quincy Lilio (43) makes a running catch against Clemson during the bottom of the fifth inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
15 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
South Carolina senior Jamie Mackay (20) is congratulaed by teammates after her solo home run during the top of the seventh inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
16 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
Clemson sophomore Macey Cintron (16) is congratulated for her home run against South Carolina during the top of the seventh inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
17 / 17
Clemson softball vs South Carolina, see our best photos from Tigers vs Gamecocks
Clemson sophomore Macey Cintron (16) is congratulated for her home run against South Carolina during the top of the seventh inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2025.
NCAA tournament Los Angeles Regional schedule
All times Eastern
May 15
Game 1: South Carolina vs Cal State Fullerton (7:30 p.m., ESPN+)
Game 2: Cal Baptist vs UCLA (10 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
South Carolina softball NCAA tournament history
It's the second NCAA tournament for Chastain Woodard but 26th overall for the program, including the fourth straight.
The Gamecocks have been to three super regionals, three WCWS and are 54-54 overall in the tournament heading into this weekend.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
