NCAA Softball Bracket Revealed: See Where Arizona Plays

TUCSON, AZ — The Arizona Wildcats' quest to make it back to the Women's College World Series begins in Tucson Friday night.

That's because Arizona earned the 11th overall seed in the 2021 NCAA Softball Tournament, giving the Wildcats the right to host a regional at Rita Hillenbrand Stadium.

The Tucson regional includes the University of Maryland Baltimore County, who Arizona plays Friday night.

Additionally, Ole Miss and Villanova will face off in the other first round game in the Old Pueblo Friday night.

The Retrievers of UMBC won the American East Conference regular season title in 2021, posting an 11-5 record.

Ole Miss finished eighth out of 13 teams in the Southeastern Conference, while Villanova is heading to its first-ever NCAA tournament after winning the Big East Conference Tournament title over UConn on Sunday.

Here's who the Wildcats will face in the double-elimination Tucson regional, which runs from Friday to Sunday.

1st Round:

(11) Arizona vs. UMBC, 8:30 p.m. MST (ESPN3)

Villanova (36-13) vs. Ole Miss (34-20), 6:00 p.m. MST (ESPNU)

2nd Round:

Winner of Arizona-UMBC vs. Winner of Villanova-Ole Miss, TBA Saturday

Loser of Arizona-UMBC vs. Loser of Villanova-Ole Miss, TBA Saturday

Loser of Arizona-UMBC/Villanova-Ole Miss vs. Winner of consolation game, TBA Saturday

Championship:

Winner of 2nd round winner's game vs. winner of consolation round, TBA Sunday

(Doubleheader if winner of 2nd round winner's game loses first game vs. winner of consolation round, TBA Sunday)