KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced the 48-team field for the 44th annual NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Rounds on Wednesday evening. The field consists of 29 automatic qualifiers and 19 at-large selections made by the softball national selection committee,
34-of-48 teams return to the field from last season, including the defending national champions, Our Lady of the Lake (Texas). The winners from each of the opening rounds will travel to Columbus, Georgia, to compete in the NAIA Softball World Series from May 22-28 at South Commons Complex.
Northwestern is the number one seed in the Sioux Center bracket, Northwestern is hosting an opening round site for the second consecutive year, opening its national tournament journey at Open Space Park in Sioux Center. Last year, the Raiders advanced to the pod championship game. The Raiders are making their sixth NAIA tournament appearance, holding a 6-10 record all time. It will be the third year in a row that Northwestern has appeared in the opening round.
Sioux Center site
1. (#10) Northwestern (Iowa)
2. (#13) Marian (Ind.)
3. (RV) Friends (Kan.)
4. Baker (Kan.)
5. Northwestern Ohio
Game Time Game Information
Monday May 12
Game 1 – 12:00 p.m. CT Baker (Kan.) vs. Northwestern Ohio
Game 2 – 2:30 p.m. CT Marian (Ind.) vs. Friends (Kan.)
Game 3 – 5:00 p.m. CT Northwestern (Iowa) vs. Winner of Game 1
Tuesday May 13
Game 4 – 12:00 p.m. CT Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 5 – 2:30 p.m. CT Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 2
Game 6 – 5:00 p.m. CT Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Wednesday May 14
Game 7 – 12:00 p.m. CT Loser Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6
Game 8 – 2:30 p.m. CT Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 5
Thursday May 15
Game 9 – TBA (If Necessary) Winner Game 8 vs. Loser Game 8
Klamath Falls, Oregon
1. Oregon Tech
2. Southeastern (Fla.)
3. Midland (Neb.)
4. Jamestown (N.D.)
5. Arizona Christian
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
1. Oklahoma City
2. Missouri Baptist
3. William Carey (Miss.)
4. Houston – Victoria (Texas)
5. Morningside (Iowa)
