We’re In! Indiana Softball Earns Spot in Fayetteville Regional, Begins NCAA Title Quest
Bloomington, IN — For the second consecutive year, Indiana Softball is dancing into the NCAA Tournament, this time heading to Fayetteville, Arkansas as part of the 2025 NCAA Fayetteville Regional, hosted by No. 7 national seed Arkansas Razorbacks. The Hoosiers’ hard-fought season, filled with resilience, big wins, and clutch performances, has paid off — and the road to Oklahoma City officially begins.
The NCAA selection committee announced Sunday evening that Indiana will be one of the four teams competing in the Fayetteville Regional, joined by Arkansas, Arizona State, and North Dakota State. Indiana will open its regional play against Arizona State on Friday, with Arkansas facing NDSU in the other half of the bracket.
For Head Coach Shonda Stanton and the Hoosiers, this moment is a testament to the team’s growth, depth, and determination throughout the 2025 campaign.
“We’re proud, we’re hungry, and we’re ready,” said Stanton after the announcement. “We’ve battled all year to get to this point, and now it’s time to go to Fayetteville and show what Indiana Softball is all about.”
A Season of Grit and Growth
Indiana (39–16) has enjoyed one of its most impressive seasons in recent memory. After a rocky start in non-conference play, the Hoosiers caught fire in Big Ten competition, finishing 2nd in the league and making a deep run in the Big Ten Tournament. Their résumé includes statement wins over conference foes like Michigan and Northwestern and strong RPI metrics that helped secure their at-large bid.
Led by a balanced roster of veterans and rising stars, Indiana’s offense has been relentless, averaging over five runs per game in the second half of the season. Junior Taryn Kern, the 2024 Big Ten Player of the Year, once again anchored the offense with clutch home runs and a team-leading .412 batting average.
Pitching has also been a strength, with Brianna Copeland and Heather Johnson forming a dynamic one-two punch in the circle. The staff posted a combined ERA under 2.30 in Big Ten play, consistently shutting down some of the nation’s top hitters.
Fayetteville Regional Preview
The Fayetteville Regional promises to be one of the most competitive brackets in the tournament. The host team Arkansas (44–10) enters as a national seed and SEC powerhouse with one of the loudest and most intimidating home-field advantages in NCAA softball.
Arizona State, Indiana’s first opponent, brings explosive offense and tournament pedigree. Despite an up-and-down season, the Sun Devils have the power and speed to challenge any pitching staff.
Meanwhile, North Dakota State returns to the NCAA Tournament as the Summit League champion, known for playing fearless softball and upsetting higher-seeded teams.
The format is double-elimination, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Super Regionals. Indiana will need at least three wins to escape the regional and move one step closer to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
“We respect every team in our bracket,” Kern said. “But we’ve proven we can compete with anyone. This is our chance to make Indiana history.”
The Road Ahead
Indiana’s appearance in back-to-back NCAA tournaments signals a new era for the program under Coach Stanton. With postseason experience from last year’s regional appearance in Knoxville, the Hoosiers enter Fayetteville not just with excitement — but with expectations.
Fans are expected to travel in strong numbers, and alumni around the country are rallying in support of the team’s run. The Hoosiers will hold a practice at Bogle Park on Thursday before opening regional play Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
Regional Schedule (Fayetteville, AR – Bogle Park):
Friday, May 16
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Game 1: Indiana vs. Arizona State – 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
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Game 2: Arkansas vs. North Dakota State – 5:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, May 17
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Game 3: Winners of Game 1 & 2
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Game 4: Losers of Game 1 & 2
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Game 5: Elimination game
Sunday, May 18
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Regional Final(s) – Game 6 (and 7 if necessary)
What’s at Stake?
A spot in the NCAA Super Regionals, where Indiana would face the winner of the Norman Regional — possibly a showdown with top-seeded Oklahoma, depending on results. But first, the Hoosiers must conquer the Fayetteville field.
For now, Indiana is focused on one goal: survive and advance.
“We’ve worked all season to be here,” Stanton said. “Now it’s time to finish the job.”
