The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has selected the 64 teams that will participate in the 2011 NCAA Division II Softball Regional Championships. Four teams will participate at each of 16 regional sites in double-elimination tournaments. Regional competition will be held May 13-15. Winners will advance to the super regional’s May 20-21. The finals will be held May 26-30 in Salem, Virginia, at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex.

For the fifth time in seven years (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011) the Missouri Western softball team will be heading to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. The Griffons (40-13) are the sixth seed and will play in Canyon, Texas on Friday, May 13 at 7:00 pm against MIAA opponent Nebraska-Omaha (45-9) who is the third seed. Western went 2-1 against the Mavericks this season sweeping a doubleheader 5-3 and 4-0 on April 30 before falling last weekend in the MIAA Tournament by a score of 6-5.

The other two teams that are in the Griffons region are the host school and number two seed West Texas A&M Lady Buffs and the seventh seed Saint Mary’s (Texas) Rattlers. The will play their opening round game at 4:30 pm on Friday, May 13.

Four other schools will be going to Wichita Falls, Texas to play their double elimination tournament. Midwestern State will is the number one seed and will play Texas A&M International the eighth seed while the four seed Angelo State Rambelles will take on the fifth seeded Emporia State Hornets.

South Central Region

1. Midwestern State* 47-10

2. West Texas A&M* 44-15

3. Nebraska-Omaha 45-9

4. Angelo State 42-12

5. Emporia State 41-14

6. Missouri Western State 40-13

7. Saint Mary’s (TX) 35-19

8. Texas A&M International 32-27