1986 NCAA Division I softball season

The 1986 NCAA Division I softball season, play of college softball in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level, began in February 1986. The season progressed through the regular season, many conference tournaments and championship series, and concluded with the 1986 NCAA Division I softball tournament and 1986 Women's College World Series. The Women's College World Series, consisting of the eight remaining teams in the NCAA Tournament and held in Omaha, Nebraska at Seymour Smith Park, ended on May 25, 1986.

Women's College World Series
The 1986 NCAA Women's College World Series took place May 21–25, 1986 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Season leaders
Batting
 * Batting average: .453 – Jackie Nietopski, Niagara Purple Eagles
 * RBIs: 41 – Debbi Oraczewski, Towson Tigers, Jeanne Weinsheim, San Diego Toreros & Melanie Marshall, Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
 * Home runs: 10 – Debbi Oraczewski, Towson Tigers

Pitching
 * Wins: 35-9 – Stacey Johnson, Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters
 * ERA: 0.18 (4 ER/153.1 IP) – Connie Clark, Cal State Fullerton Titans
 * Strikeouts: 370 – Amy Unterbrink, Indiana Hoosiers

Records
NCAA Division I season WHIP: 0.36 (58 H+13 BB/195.0 IP) – Virginia Augusta, North Carolina Tar Heels

NCAA Division I single game triples: 3 – Lynna Hallick, Northwestern Wildcats; April 18, 1986

Junior class perfect games: 3 – Virginia Augusta, North Carolina Tar Heels

Team single game triples: 7 – UMass Minutewomen; March 17, 1986

Awards
Susan LeFebvre, Cal State Fullerton Titans
 * Honda Sports Award Softball:

All America Teams
The following players were members of the first All-American Teams.

First Team

Second Team