Posted: May 09, 2012
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has officially released the pool play schedule for the 32nd Annual NAIA Softball National Championship, held May 17 - 23 at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex in Gulf Shores, Ala. Central Methodist (40-12) has been ranked as the No. 3-seed in Pool F.
The Eagles, ranked No. 20 in the country in the most recent NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Poll,�are paired with William Carey (Miss.), Houston-Victoria (Texas) and Indiana Wesleyan. William Carey was ranked No. 6 in the poll, Houston-Victoria was ranked 11th, and Indiana Wesleyan was unranked but receiving votes.
Central Methodist kicks off pool play on May 17 against No. 2-seed in Pool F Houston-Victoria at noon on Field 2. The Eagles will face the top seed in the pool William Carey at 12:30 p.m. on Field 3 on May 18. The Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament Champion will conclude pool play on May 19�versus fourth-seed in the pool Indiana Wesleyan�on Field 4 at�10 a.m. All start times are central.
The winner of Pool F will advance to�an eight-team double elimination bracket to face the winner of Pool C on May 21 at 10 a.m. There are eight pools of four teams apiece, who will play three games from May 17 - 19. The winner of each pool will advance to an eight-team double-elimination bracket that will be played out May 21 - 23. The 32nd annual national champion will be awarded on May 23 from the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.
Central Methodist will broadcast�live video�and live in-game statistics of all pool games and any double elimination games in which�the Eagles�participate until May 21 at 5:30 p.m.
The Eagles are making their first Championship Tournament appearance since 1981 and second overall. Central Methodist is 1-2 all-time in the Championship Tournament and enters the 2012 postseason hunt for the National Championship�led by two All-America candidates, pitcher Aubrey Utley and first baseman Kayla Yount.
An all tournament pass can be purchased for $30. Otherwise, tickets are $8 per day for adults and $3 per day for children ages 4-10.
The event is hosted by the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission, in conjunction with the University of Mobile (Ala.), for the second-straight year.
The tournament kicks-off between Brenau (Ga.) and Bethany (Kan.) at 9 a.m. CDT on May 17. Day 1 is also highlighted by defending national champion Oregon Tech facing Madonna (Mich.) at 5:30 p.m. No. 1-ranked Concordia (Calif.) tussles with first-timer Talladega (Ala.) at 2 p.m.
The current field is comprised of 23 automatic qualifiers based upon their conference / independent / unaffiliated group tournaments, eight at-large selections, which were determined using the final Top 25 rating released Tuesday and the host berth, Mobile.
NeuLion, the NAIA's digital media partner and official video-streaming company of 10 select NAIA National Championship events, will be broadcasting select softball games from May 21 - 23. Once competition has pared down to six teams, starting with Game 9 at 5:30 p.m. on May 21, live streaming will be available for $9.95 per day or $29.95 for the whole event. For more video-streaming information, click here.
Gulf Shores Sportsplex Information:
Address: 19025 County Road 6 West, Gulf Shores, Alabama 36542
Directions (after entering Gulf Shores): From I-10 at Hwy 59, travel 25 miles south to Oak Road West (also known as County Road 6). Turn right, and drive for one mile until reaching Gulf Shores Sportsplex.
Ticket Price: $30�for tournament pass or $8/day for adults and $3/day for children 4-10.
Facility
Hotels/Restaurants
Central Methodist Schedule:
May 17: No. 3 CMU vs. No. 2 Houston-Victoria, noon, Field 2
May 18: No. 3 CMU vs. No. 1 William Carey, 12:30 p.m., Field 3
May 19:�No. 3 CMU vs. No. 4 Indiana Wesleyan,10 a.m., Field 4
Pool F Opponent Information:
Houston-Victoria Quick Facts
Mascot: Jaguars
Location: Houston, Texas
Conference: Association of Independent Institutions (AII)
2012 Record: 39-8
Last time in NAIA Championship Tournament: 2009
All-time appearances/record in NAIA Championship Tournament: 2/1-2
How they qualified: At-large bid
Head Coach: Keri Lambeth
Players to Watch: P Emily Bergstrom, P Dawn Villegas
Roster | Stats
William Carey Quick Facts
Mascot: Lady Crusaders
Location: Hattiesburg, Miss.
Conference: Southern States Athletic (SSAC)
2012 Record: 47-9
Last time in NAIA Championship Tournament: 2011
All-time appearances/record in NAIA Championship Tournament: 5/13-7
How they qualified: SSAC Tournament Champion
Head Coach: Wendy Hogue
Players to Watch: P Alyssa Boutwell, P Alli Mccaleb, P Kelsey Jo Smith, RF Hannah Cook-Kelley
Roster | Stats
Indiana Wesleyan Quick Facts
Mascot: Wildcats
Location: Marion, Ind.
Conference: Mid-Central Collegiate�(MCC)
2012 Record: 44-11
Last time in NAIA Championship Tournament: First time
All-time appearances/record in NAIA Championship Tournament: 1/0-0
How they qualified:�MCC Tournament Champion
Head Coach: Steve Babinski
Players to Watch: P Abbie Forman,1B/P Jessica Hull, C Katie Smith
Roster | Stats
