GREENVILLE, NC – Faith Russell delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift Tulsa to a 2-1 walk-off win over UAB in the opening game of the 2026 American Conference Softball Championship on Wednesday at Joyner Family Softball Stadium.
 
The Golden Hurricane (11-17) advance to the second round, where they will face No. 5 seed Charlotte at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday.
 
UAB (21-33) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning when Antonia Henderson led off with a solo home run to left field, the Blazers’ first hit of the game.
 
Tulsa threatened in the sixth, putting runners on the corners with one out, but a groundout and a flyout ended the inning and preserved UAB’s lead.
 
In the seventh, Tulsa loaded the bases to set up Russell, who lined the first pitch she saw into center field to score Preslee Ray and Claira Skaggs and secure the walk-off victory.
 
Maura Moore (11-18) earned the win, allowing one hit and one run over seven innings while striking out six. Olivia Cummings (8-11) took the loss after allowing two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.
 
2026 AMERICAN SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Joyner Family Softball Stadium | Greenville, North Carolina
 
Wednesday, May 6 | First and Second Round
Game 1: No. 8 Tulsa 2, No. 9 UAB 1 | Box Score

Game 2: No. 7 UTSA vs No. 10 Memphis | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Live Stats

Game 3: No. 5 Charlotte vs No. 8 Tulsa | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Live Stats

Game 4: No. 6 North Texas vs Game 2 Winner | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Live Stats
Thursday, May 7 | Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 4 Florida Atlantic vs Game 3 Winner | 12 p.m. | ESPN+
Live Stats

Game 6: No. 3 East Carolina vs Game 4 Winner | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Live Stats
Friday, May 8 | Semifinals
Game 7: No. 1 South Florida vs Game 5 Winner | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Live Stats

Game 8: No. 2 Wichita State vs Game 6 Winner | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Live Stats
Saturday, May 9 | Championship
Game 9: Game 7 Winner vs Game 8 Winner | 12 p.m. | ESPN2
Live Stats