Upcoming Event: Softball versus Howard on May 15, 2026 at 12 p.m.
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12 p.m.
Softball
vs Howard
No. 13 Duke Faces Howard in NCAA Regional Opener Friday
5/14/2026 5:49:00 PM | Softball
DURHAM, N.C. – For a second straight year, Duke softball will open its NCAA Championship run against Howard in the opening game of the Durham Regional Friday afternoon at Smith Family Stadium.
The Blue Devils earned their sixth-consecutive bid to the NCAA Softball Championship after being selected the No. 12 overall seed during Sunday night's selection show. Duke earned hosting rights for the fifth time in program history and welcomes Arizona, Howard and Marshall to Durham May 15-17.
Duke (39-14) enters NCAA play after advancing to the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Softball Championship over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. Redshirt junior Jessica Oakland was selected to the ACC All-Tournament Team after batting 5-for-8 (.625) with four RBI during the two games. Duke now has 13 all-tournament selections in program history, including a pair of MVPs in Jala Wright and Peyton St. George.
Howard (28-17) punched its ticket to the NCAA Championship after capturing its second consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament Championship last weekend. The Bison defeated South Carolina State, 11-2, in a five-inning run-rule victory to earn the title in Norfolk, Virginia. Reigning MEAC Player of the Year Maryn Jordan was named the tournament's Outstanding Player while junior Makyia Taylor and senior Julia Holt earned all-tournament team honors. Head coach Tori Tyson was also selected as the Most Outstanding Coach.
DUKE IN THE POSTSEASON
Overall, Duke is 16-12 in the NCAA Championship with three Super Regional appearances and one Women's College World Series appearance. The Blue Devils have outscored their opponents, 135-89, during the tournament.
INSIDE THE SERIES
The Blue Devils and Bison are set to meet for the third time in program history and second time in NCAA postseason action. The two teams last met in the Durham Regional a season ago with the Blue Devils earning a 12-0 run-rule victory.
UP NEXT
If Duke advances out of regional play, the Blue Devils will face the winner of the Fayetteville Regional, hosted by fifth-seeded Arkansas, May 22-24.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
#GoDuke
The Blue Devils earned their sixth-consecutive bid to the NCAA Softball Championship after being selected the No. 12 overall seed during Sunday night's selection show. Duke earned hosting rights for the fifth time in program history and welcomes Arizona, Howard and Marshall to Durham May 15-17.
Duke (39-14) enters NCAA play after advancing to the semifinals of the 2026 ACC Softball Championship over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. Redshirt junior Jessica Oakland was selected to the ACC All-Tournament Team after batting 5-for-8 (.625) with four RBI during the two games. Duke now has 13 all-tournament selections in program history, including a pair of MVPs in Jala Wright and Peyton St. George.
Howard (28-17) punched its ticket to the NCAA Championship after capturing its second consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament Championship last weekend. The Bison defeated South Carolina State, 11-2, in a five-inning run-rule victory to earn the title in Norfolk, Virginia. Reigning MEAC Player of the Year Maryn Jordan was named the tournament's Outstanding Player while junior Makyia Taylor and senior Julia Holt earned all-tournament team honors. Head coach Tori Tyson was also selected as the Most Outstanding Coach.
DUKE IN THE POSTSEASON
Overall, Duke is 16-12 in the NCAA Championship with three Super Regional appearances and one Women's College World Series appearance. The Blue Devils have outscored their opponents, 135-89, during the tournament.
INSIDE THE SERIES
The Blue Devils and Bison are set to meet for the third time in program history and second time in NCAA postseason action. The two teams last met in the Durham Regional a season ago with the Blue Devils earning a 12-0 run-rule victory.
UP NEXT
If Duke advances out of regional play, the Blue Devils will face the winner of the Fayetteville Regional, hosted by fifth-seeded Arkansas, May 22-24.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
INF
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