CALDWELL, Idaho – The College of Idaho softball team is headed back to the national stage after earning an at-large bid to the 2026 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round.
The Yotes received the No. 3 seed in the Chickasha Bracket and will travel to Chickasha, Oklahoma, for the double-elimination tournament hosted by the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma beginning Monday, May 11.
College of Idaho will open tournament play against No. 2 seed LSU Alexandria in its first game of the Opening Round. The bracket also features host and No. 1 seed Science & Arts (Okla.) along with No. 5 seed Morningside (Iowa) and No. 4 seed Friends (Kan.). Game times are expected to be announced by the NAIA at a later date.
The Opening Round is part of the 48-team NAIA Softball National Championship field, with teams competing at 10 host sites across the country. Winners of each Opening Round bracket advance to the NAIA World Series in Columbus, Georgia.
The Yotes enter postseason play after another strong season against Cascade Conference competition, highlighted by a runner-up finish in the Cascade Conference Championship Tournament after eliminating two NAIA Top-10 teams. College of Idaho will look to carry that momentum into Oklahoma as it makes another national tournament appearance under head coach Al Mendiola.
The Chickasha Opening Round schedule begins Monday, May 11, and continues through May 14 if necessary.
Chickasha Opening Round Schedule
Monday, May 11
Game 1 – #4 Friends (Kan.) vs. #5 Morningside (Iowa)
Game 2 – #2 LSU Alexandria vs. #3 College of Idaho
Game 3 – #1 Science & Arts (Okla.) vs. Winner of Game 1
Tuesday, May 12
Game 4 – Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 5 – Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 2
Game 6 – Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3
Wednesday, May 13
Game 7 – Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 5
Game 8 – Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 7
Thursday, May 14 (if necessary)
Game 9 – Winner Game 8 vs. Loser Game 8
If you are interested in supporting the Yotes in their postseason run, please consider donating here
