Follow Live - 2026 Softball Championship Finals
The 2026 Big South Softball Championship concludes Saturday, May 9, with the finals at Cyrill Softball Stadium on the campus of USC Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C. Two-time defending champion and No. 2 seed USC Upstate will face No. 1 Winthrop at 12:00pm on ESPN+ for a chance to clinch the championship trophy and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Should the Eagles defeat the Spartans, a "Winner-Take-All" game will be played at approximately 2:30pm. The teams are meeting in the Championship contest for the third consecutive year -- marking the first time since 1988-90 that the same two schools played for the Conference title three years in a row.
Saturday's schedule may be impacted due to weather, and updates will be posted as necessary.
USC Upstate has reached the Championship final for the third consecutive year and fourth time since becoming Big South members in 2019, as the Spartans clinched their title round berth on Friday afternoon via the Winner's bracket. The Spartans are looking to secure the league's first three-peat since former member Campbell won three straight from 2021-23.
Winthrop is in the final for the third consecutive year and 16th time overall -- the most title game appearances in league history. The Eagles are seeking their first crown since 2008, as well as their seventh overall -- which would set the conference record for most softball championships. In addition to 2008, Winthrop's titles came in 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 2007.
The last time the No. 2 seed hoisted the trophy was in 2023 (Campbell), while the No. 1 seed last won it all in 2024 (USC Upstate).
Below are links to watch live on ESPN+ and follow via Live Stats. Fans can follow the Big South's official
@BigSouthSports account on Twitter/X for updates throughout the day, as well as visit the Big South's platforms on
Facebook, and
Instagram for additional content.
SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
Saturday, May 9 (Championship Day)
Game 8 - No. 2 USC Upstate vs. No. 1 Winthrop, 12:00pm |
LIVE STATS |
WATCH LIVE
Game 9 - if necessary, 2:30pm | LIVE STATS | WATCH LIVE