What is college softball's run-rule? Explaining mercy rule in NCAA Tournament

Scores in college softball can get out of hand sometimes, especially with record-breaking offenses in 2026. At that point, though, at least meaningless innings don't have to continue.

College softball's run-rule extends throughout the entire NCAA Softball Tournament, even the three-game national championship series, meaning the title-clinching game could potentially end after five innings if a team gets out to a huge lead.

REQUIRED READING: NCAA Softball Tournament bracket predictions: Picking all 16 regional winners

The run-rule being introduced to the national championship series is a recent development. It was added to the ruleset in 2023, when Oklahoma and Texas faced off in the national championship series for the second consecutive year. When the Sooners defeated the Longhorns in two games in 2022, they won Game 1 of the series 16-1, with no run-rule in place at the time.

There will inevitably be a run-rule at some point during the regionals, Super Regionals or Women's College World Series in 2026. Here's everything to know of the rule heading into the 64-team bracket kicking off on Friday, May 15:

College softball run-rule for NCAA Tournament, explained

College softball has one run-rule, which is if a team leads by eight or more runs after five innings. If the home team comes to bat in the bottom of the fifth inning with an 8-run lead, the game ends after technically only playing four-and-a-half innings. If the visiting team holds an 8-run lead, then the home team has a chance to score one run in the bottom of the fifth inning to keep the game going.

Here's the full rule, according to entry 6.14 in the 2026 NCAA Softball rulebook:

"A regulation eight-run-rule game shall be declared by the plate umpire if one team is ahead by eight or more runs after five or more equal innings. Complete innings must be played unless the home team reaches the eight-run lead while at bat in the last inning. Any hit that results in an eight-run lead by the home team (after 4½ innings) is treated as a game-ending hit(See Rule 14.5) Whenever the visiting team reaches the limit in the fifth or any inning thereafter, the home team must have its opportunity to bat in the bottom half of the inning."

Is there a run-rule in the NCAA Softball Tournament or Women's College World Series?

Yes, the run-rule applies to every college softball game, even the national championship series. If a team leads by eight runs or more after five innings, they win by the mercy rule, even if a title is on the line.

There was no run-rule at the Women's College World Series until 2023, when it started being applied before Oklahoma's win over Texas in the national championship game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is college softball's run-rule? Explaining NCAA's mercy rule