NACC softball set for World Series debut

The second season of softball for Northeast Alabama Community college has been a historic one, and the Mustangs have one last goal on their checklist before their 2026 season officially enters the history books.

Third-seeded NACC begins its pursuit of a national championship today when it begins play in the 2026 National Junior College Athletic Association Division I Softball World Series.

The 20-team double-elimination tournament is being held at Choccolocco Park in Oxford through Saturday. NACC plays 14th-seeded Gaston (N.C.) College today at 1:30 p.m., a start time 15 minutes later than previously set due to weather-related rescheduling of games from yesterday's opening day.

The Mustangs enter the World Series with a 51-4 record. They won both the Alabama Community College Conference's regular-season and tournament championships, were the NJCAA Region 22 champion and were ranked in the Top-4 of every NJCAA Division I Softball in-season poll, including a three-week stint at No. 1. The 2026 campaign began with a 19-game winning streak and the Mustangs had a 20-game winning streak later in the season. NACC won the ACCC regular-season crown with a 29-3 mark in conference play and went 3-0 in the conference tournament. The Mustangs are batting .401 as a team, which leads the NJCAA, and has outscored opponents 462-108 this season. Meanwhile, the NACC pitching staff has a team ERA of .185 (seventh in NJCAA) and has a team fielding percentage of .972 (tied for third in NJCAA) while committing just 39 errors in 1,399 total defensive chances.

NACC head coach Joe Guthrie said Mustangs are excited to make their World Series debut and for the chance to pursue the sport's top prize. 

"We're excited to be here, but the goal is to win it, not just be here," said Guthrie, the ACCC and the NJCAA South District Coach of the Year. "There are a lot of great teams in (the tournament). You can't wait around. You've got to go make things happen."

With a win today, NACC would advance to play a winners' bracket game Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. A loss would put the Mustangs into an elimination bracket game this evening at 5:45 p.m.

The complete bracket with game times each day can be viewed by clicking here.

Tickets for the 2026 NJCAA Division I Softball World Series, available by on-site purchase only, are $15 per day and tournament passes are available for $40 per person. Children ages five and under are admitted free. In the event of a rain delay or game suspension due to weather, or any other reason, anyone with a valid wristband will be admitted to the rescheduled game. Tournament wristbands cannot be exchanged or refunded for any dollar value. Parking is available at the complex for $5 per vehicle each day. Games will also be streamed on the NJCAA Network with a cost of $12 dollars per day or a $15 pass for the entire tournament.

Thanks to the opening-round bye, NACC got a chance to scout in person Monday some of the teams it will or may play in the tournament. 

"The windows are tight in the postseason," Guthrie said. "You expect a lot of close games. Every team has a couple of weakness, and you want to accentuate those and do it early in games. You just have to make sure you're prepared and make sure every move you make gives you the best chance to win."

Guthrie said the Mustangs are excited to play the World Series so close to home, adding Choccolocco Park's proximity to NACC's campus will allow NACC fans to give the Mustangs' games a "home-game feel." Northeast is the lone Alabama school in the NJCAA Divisin I Softball World Series.

"We're excited to represent our state and the conference," Guthrie said. "I think we're going to get a lot of support and hopefully it's a like a home atmosphere for us."