Badgers softball gets NCAA tournament bid

(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON – After a 30-win regular season and a run in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals, the Wisconsin softball team notched its first berth to the NCAA Tournament since the 2022 season, earning a bid to the Austin Regional, hosted by Texas. 

The Badgers (32-19) enter the regional as the No. 2 seed, as they will take on Baylor (28-26) to open the tournament. Times are still to be determined, as the NCAA Regionals are scheduled to get underway on Friday, May 15, and last through Sunday, May 17. 

The Badgers and the Bears will match up for the first time since the 2002 season, as the two programs have only faced each other twice. UW holds a 2-0 record all-time over Baylor, securing 2-1 victories in each battle.

On the other side of the bracket, the SEC Tournament Champions in Texas (42-10) will face off against Wagner (22-26). 

UW will be making its 10th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and its eighth under head coach Yvette Healy. The Badgers have secured at least one win in each of their last six postseason appearances. 

Wisconsin holds a record of 13-18 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, finishing as the runner-up in the Gainesville Regional against Florida back in 2022. 

The last time the Badgers played in Austin, Texas, was back in the 2023 season, where they defeated No. 9 Alabama, 7-6, at the Bevo Classic.

Wisconsin will kick off the First Round against Baylor on May 15. Game times have yet to be determined.