CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) went 2-2 on day one of regional action in the 2026 NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. The Simpson College Storm and Loras College Duhawks picked up wins to advance to the regional semifinals. The Central College Dutch and Wartburg College Knights will have to play through the elimination bracket to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Trine Regional
Thursday, May 14
Game 1: 10:00 a.m. - No. 1 Trine (10) vs. No. 4 Earlham (2)
Game 2: 12:30 p.m. - No. 2 Rochester (6) vs. No. 3 Loras (14)
Friday, May 15
Game 3: 10:00 a.m. - No. 1 Trine vs. No. 3 Loras
Game 4: 12:30 p.m. - No. 4 Earlham vs. No. 2 Rochester
Game 5: 3:00 p.m. - Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Saturday, May 16
Game 6: 10:00 a.m. - NCAA Regional Championship Game - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5
Game 7: 12:30 p.m. - NCAA Regional Championship Game 2 - Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary)
Wartburg Regional
Thursday, May 14
Game 1: 11:00 a.m. - No. 1 Redlands (5) vs. No. 4 Dominican (3)
Game 2: 1:30 p.m. - No. 2 Wartburg (3) vs. No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan (8)
Friday, May 15
Game 3: 11:00 a.m. - No. 1 Redlands vs. No. 3 Illinois Wesleyan
Game 4: 1:30 p.m. - No. 4 Dominican vs. No. 2 Wartburg
Game 5: 4:00 p.m. - Game 4 Winner vs. Game 3 Loser
Saturday, May 16
Game 6: 11:00 a.m. - NCAA Regional Championship Game - Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner
Game 7: 1:30 p.m. - NCAA Regional Championship Game 2 - Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (if necessary)
Simpson Regional
Thursday, May 14
Game 1: 11:00 a.m. - No. 1 Simpson (4) vs. No. 4 Greenville (0)
Game 2: 1:30 p.m. - No. 2 Saint Benedict (3) vs. No. 3 Central (2)
Friday, May 15
Game 3: 11:00 a.m. - No. 1 Simpson vs. No. 2 Saint Benedict
Game 4: 1:30 p.m. - No. 4 Greenville vs. No. 3 Central
Game 5: 4:00 p.m. - Game 4 Winner vs. Game 3 Loser
Saturday, May 16
Game 6: 11:00 a.m. - NCAA Regional Championship Game - Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner
Game 7: 1:30 p.m. - NCAA Regional Championship Game 2 - Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (if necessary)
About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
The A-R-C is home to nine full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. Luther College has announced its departure from the conference, effective at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
