2026 #HLSB Championship Bracket Revealed with Youngstown State Earning Top Seed

2026 #HLSB Championship Bracket Revealed with Youngstown State Earning Top Seed

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Rachel White

INDIANAPOLIS (May 2, 2026) – The bracket for the 2026 Horizon League Softball Championship was released on Saturday following the completion of the regular season. Youngstown State will host the championship after securing the regular season title and No. 1 seed.

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Dig Deeper:
  • Youngstown State finished the regular season with a 14-4 #HLSB record and is 31-18 overall, wrapping up League play with a series win at Oakland.
    • The Penguins will take on the winner of game one at noon ET on Thursday, May 7.
  • Northern Kentucky enters postseason play as the No. 2 seed after recording an 11-7 League record.
    • The Norse open the championship at 2:30 p.m. ET on Thursday against the winner of game two.
    • NKU earned the No. 2 seed after posting a 2-1 record against RMU in the regular season.
  • RMU (11-7 HL) earned the No. 3 seed, sweeping Detroit Mercy to finish the regular season.
    • The Colonials will battle the No. 6 seed Titans (6-12 HL) in our second game on Wednesday, May 6.
  • Oakland (9-9 HL) will be the No. 4 seed and take on No. 5 seed Green Bay 8-10 HL) in the opening game of the championship at noon ET on Wednesday.
    • The Phoenix picked up two wins over the Golden Grizzlies in April.
  • For complete information on the 2026 #HLSB Championship, visit championship central.
  • Every game of the championship will be streamed on ESPN+.
  • The Horizon League is an NCAA Division I athletics conference comprised of 11 member institutions headquartered in Indianapolis. The League and our member schools develop nearly 4,000 student-athletes for life. Through unique opportunities in major metropolitan cities, their athletic, academic and personal aspirations can be achieved. Because what they learn today will inspire who they become tomorrow. For more information, visit HorizonLeague.com.