After a one-year absence, Michigan softball is back in the NCAA Tournament.

The Wolverines’ road to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and the 2024 Women’s College World Series begins this week with a matchup against Kentucky at Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma in the tournament’s Stillwater Regional, hosted by Oklahoma State.

More: Watch select 2024 NCAA softball tournament games on Fubo (free trial)

Michigan is making its 30^th NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992 after going 41-16 in the regular season. The last of those victories came in the Big Ten championship game, where it defeated Indiana 3-1 to earn its 11^th all-time Big Ten Tournament title. This season is the Wolverines’ second under coach Bonnie Tholl, who was appointed to the role in August 2022 following the retirement of legendary Michigan coach Carol Hutchins, the winningest head coach in NCAA softball history.

Michigan is 88-23 all-time in the regional round of the tournament and has won 18 regional titles.

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Now in the NCAA Tournament, the Wolverines will face off against Kentucky in their opening game. The Wildcats went 30-22 during the regular season, including an 8-16 mark in SEC play. Each of the SEC’s 13 softball programs were selected for the tournament and the conference claimed eight of the event’s top 16 seeds.

In order to advance to the super regional stage, Michigan will likely have to get through No. 5 overall national seed Oklahoma State, which enters the tournament 44-10 and will play Northern Colorado in its opening game. The winner of that matchup will square off against the winner of the Wolverines’ game against Kentucky.

The regional round is a four-team, double-elimination tournament that will take place over the course of three days.

Here’s everything you need to know about Michigan softball’s 2024 NCAA Tournament opener, including time, date, TV and streaming info, and more:

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What channel is Michigan vs. Kentucky softball today?

The Wolverines’ matchup against the Wildcats will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Streaming options for the game include the ESPN App and Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Michigan vs. Kentucky softball start time

• Date: Friday, May 17
• Time: 3 p.m. ET

The game between Michigan and Kentucky is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET on Friday from Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

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Michigan softball schedule 2024

Below is the Stillwater Regional schedule, including Michigan’s games. For the Wolverines’ full 2024 schedule, click here.

Friday, May 17

• Game 1: Kentucky vs. Michigan | 3 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
• Game 2: (5) Oklahoma State vs. Northern Colorado | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN+

Saturday, May 18

• Game 3: TBD vs. TBD | 1 p.m.
• Game 4: TBD vs. TBD | 3:30 p.m.
• Game 5: TBD vs. TBD | 6 p.m.

Sunday, May 19

• Game 6: TBD vs. TBD
• Game 7: TBD vs. TBD

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