MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - The Berry College softball team is heading to the Belhaven Regional of the 2026 NCAA Championships which will be held from May 14-16 in Jackson, MS hosted by Belhaven University.

The Vikings are set to take on second seeded Emory on Thursday, May 14 at 2:30 PM ET. The Vikings and Eagles met earlier this year with the teams splitting a doubleheader on February 28 as each team won 3-2 with the Eagles taking the first one. Overall the Vikings are 9-16 against the Eagles.

The third seeded Vikings are led by SAA Athlete of the Year Lauren Cothern who sports a .368 batting average to go with a team high six home runs and 37 RBI. JJ Sweat leads the Vikings in the circle with a 1.47 ERA and a 13-4 record over 95.1 innings pitched. Sweat also has 94 strikeouts, 11 complete games and six shutouts. Sweat was also named SAA Tournament MVP after leading the Vikings to the SAA Tournament Championship going 2-0 with two complete game shutouts to earn the final NFCA Pitcher of the Week honor of the season.
 
Tournament Website: https://blazers.belhaven.edu/sports/2026/5/7/2026-ncaa-division-iii-softball-regional.aspx
Location: Jim McLeod Field, Jackson, Mississippi
Host: Belhaven University
Format: Four-team, double-elimination regional
What's at stake: Regional champion advances to the NCAA Super Regionals

TICKET AND FAN INFORMATION
Tickets will be available at the entrance each day. Cash and card will be accepted.

Ticket Prices
Adults: $15
Seniors 60+: $10
Students with ID: $10
Children ages 2-12: $5
Children under 2: Free

Venue: Jim McLeod Field
Address: 1600 Riverside Drive, Jackson, MS
Restrooms: Green building on the first base side
Pets: No pets allowed

REGIONAL SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 14
Game 1: No. 1 Belhaven vs. No. 4 Westminster (Pa.), 12:00 p.m.
Game 2: No. 2 Emory vs. No. 3 Berry, 2:30 p.m.

Friday, May 15
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 12:00 p.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 2:30 p.m.
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 16
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 12:00 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 2:30 p.m., if necessary

For a more in depth preview click here.