IWU Chosen for NCAA Division III Softball Tourney

May 5, 2008

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — For the second straight year, the Illinois Wesleyan softball team will play at the NCAA Division III regional in Eau Claire, Wis. Go here for regional web site.

The 29-9 Titans, ranked No. 23 in the April 30 Division III national coaches’ poll, are the fifth seed in the regional tourney and will play fourth-seeded Simpson College (28-10) at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 in the double elimination event.

Other schools at the Wisconsin-Eau Claire regional include the sixth-seeded host school (28-11), top seed St. Thomas (40-3 and ranked No. 3 in the country), and third-seed North Central (29-11), who won the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin tournament last weekend in Bloomington.

Other teams are Wisconsin-Oshkosh (No. 2 seed, 27-8), Aurora (No. 7 seed, 35-6) and Ripon (No. 8 seed, 20-12).

Winners of the CCIW regular season championship, Wesleyan was one of 18 schools to earn an at-large berth to the 2008 national tournament and is making the school’s eighth NCAA softball appearance.

In addition to last season, IWU was in the NCAA softball tournament in 1994, 1996, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and finished third in the nation in 2003. The Titans have a 12-14 record in tournament play.

CONTACT:Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206