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Amelya Huggins (UCO)
The NCAA Division II softball tournaments kicks off this week, and both Edmond universities will be heavily involved.
Central Oklahoma (35-12) is hosting the Central Regional Tournament in Edmond, while Oklahoma Christian (37-7) will hit the road despite earning a regional 1-seed.
UCO’s Broncho Stadium will welcome 1-seed Augustana (SD) (44-6), No. 2 Minnesota State (38-8), No. 4 Southern Arkansas (27-8), No. 5 Central Missouri (36-12) and No. 6 Arkansas Tech (28-16-1). UCO is the 3-seed.
“We’re excited about being in the national tournament again and look forward to what should be a great regional,” UCO coach Cody White said. “Obviously, it’s a really strong field, but our players are ready for the challenge.”
The Bronchos will begin its run in the double-elimination tournament Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. against Arkansas Tech, with the winner to face Minnesota State. Southern Arkansas and Central Missouri will open the tournament at noon.
UCO swept a home double-header against Arkansas Tech on March 23 and did the same against Central Missouri on March 27, though Central Missouri defeated UCO in the MIAA tournament Friday. UCO dropped a pair of games against Augustana at the Hy-Vee Classic on March 20 and 21.
UCO has not played Minnesota State or Southern Arkansas thus far this season.
Elsewhere, OC is headed to Texas A&M-Commerce as the 1-seed in the South Central Regional.
Most of the field will be familiar to the Lady Eagles with only one team from outside the Lone Star Conference participating.
The 2-seed is West Texas A&M (33-10), the team that eliminated OC from the conference tournament Friday. The Lady Eagles had previously swept a home doubleheader against WT on April 11.
The 3-seed is Angelo State (33-12), No. 4 is Colorado Mesa (38-3), No. 5 is host Texas A&M-Commerce (28-16), and No. 6 is Texas A&M-Kingsville (23-12).
“I'm very proud of these young ladies to be chosen as the No. 1 seed in what most would consider the top region in the country,” OC coach Shanon Hays said. “It's cool to see all the hard work and time spent working culminate into us being in the position we are in now. We are very excited for this opportunity and we are preparing our best to be ready.”
As the only participant from outside the LSC, Colorado Mesa has not faced OC this season. OC swept doubleheaders with Angelo State and Commerce and split with Kingsville.
OC will begin its postseason run noon Thursday against the winner of Wednesday’s game between Colorado Mesa and Commerce.
The eight regional champions will advance to the finals May 27-31 in Denver.