South Carolina softball in NCAA Regional: Gamecocks path, first-round opponent & more

The South Carolina Gamecocks softball program is back in the postseason. For a fourth-straight season, South Carolina has earned a spot in the NCAA's postseason. 

The Gamecocks were selected as a No. 7 seed in their quadrant, and will head out west for the regional hosted by UCLA. The Bruins, who made it to the Women's College World Series last season, will be hosting fellow out-west programs such as Cal State Fullerton and California Baptist. 

South Carolina first-round game details

• When: Friday, May 15
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET 
• Opponent: Cal State Fullerton
• Live TV: TBD
• Live Streaming: ESPN+

South Carolina will take on Cal State Fullerton in the first round. The Gamecocks haven't faced the Titans since 2003, but Cal State has won all five all-time meetings between the two. 

The Gamecocks lost 5-4 to UCLA earlier this season during the Mary Nutter classic, and have never played Cal Baptist in program history. 

South Carolina softball regional path

The Gamecocks will be facing some tough opponents in this Los Angeles Regional. The first-round opponent, Cal State Fullerton, is 40-13 on the season, and just won the Big West Championship tournament by out-scoring UC Davis, Hawaii and UC Santa Barbara 11-4. 

The host team UCLA Bruins made it all the way to the Big Ten Tournament final, but fell 7-2 to Nebraska in the title game. During the regular season, the Bruins led the nation in home runs (182), on-base percentage (.495), slugging percentage (.835) and runs per game (10.80). 

Cal Baptist is 43-17 on the year, and beat Tarleton State twice in a three-game series to win the WAC Conference tournament. Cal Baptist has scored 337 runs and 44 home runs on the season. 

If South Carolina wants to go far in this regional, the Gamecocks have to get some offense going. South Carolina has scored just five runs across its last four losses.  

2026 NCAA Los Angeles Regional Schedule

Friday, May 15

• Game 1: South Carolina vs. Cal State Fullerton at 7:30 p.m. (ET) – ESPN+
• Game 2: UCLA vs. California Baptist at 10 p.m. (ET) – ESPN2

Saturday, May 16

• Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 at 5 p.m. (ET) (Broadcast TBD)
• Game 4: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 at 7:30 p.m. (ET) (Broadcast TBD)
• Game 5: Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3 at 10 p.m. (ET) (Broadcast TBD)

Sunday, May 17

• Game 6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5 at 7:30 p.m. (ET) (Broadcast TBD)
• Game 7: Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6 (if necessary) at 10 p.m. (ET) (Broadcast TBD)

The full TV and broadcast information for the UCLA regional will be released later this week.

This trip out west marks head coach Ashley Chastain's second straight trip to the postseason.

ALSO READ: Gamecocks hold off SEC foes to land coveted 2027 OL

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