May 11, 2010

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has officially released the pool play schedule for the 30th Annual NAIA Softball National Championship, held May 20 - 26 at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex in Decatur, Ala.

There are eight pools composed of four teams each. Pool play will take place on four fields May 20 – 22, with the pool winners advancing to an eight-team double-elimination bracket that will be played out May 24 – 26. The 2010 champion will be crowned on May 26.

Two fields will open action May 20 at 9 a.m. with Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) (51-11) taking on Holy Names (Calif.) (27-20) and Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) (41-15) facing Savannah College of Art & Design (Ga.) (35-15).

Oklahoma City (40-11) is the longest attending team, qualifying for the 24th time overall and 18th consecutive season. Not only do the Stars have the most championship appearances among the field, but also have won eight National Championships with the last coming in 2007. The Stars captured their third straight Sooner Athletic Conference title to punch their ticket to Decatur.

Three other teams that are no stranger to playing on the big stage are Columbia (Mo.) (36-17), making its 15th trip, Simon Fraser (B.C.) (21-14) is returning for a 14th time and Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) (28-14) will play in its 10th national championship.

Defending national champion California Baptist (58-2) is one of three other teams among the field that has won a title. The Lancers are joined by three-time champ Simon Fraser (1999, 2003, 2005) and 2008 titlist Lubbock Christian (Texas) (52-6).

Six teams will be attending their first NAIA Softball National Championship: Belhaven (Miss.) (50-8), California State-San Marcos (38-14), Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) (45-13), MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) (45-6), Minot State (N.D.) (32-13), and Union (Ky.) (20-16).

Midwest Collegiate Conference Tournament champion Mount Mercy (Iowa) (36-9) qualified for its fourth trip to the National Championship, but first since 1990. The Mustangs are the only team to previously play in the event and not make an appearance during the 2000s.

The 32-team field is comprised of 26 automatic qualifiers from NAIA affiliated conferences, Association of Independent Institutions and unaffiliated groupings and six at-large selections, which were determined using the final Top 25 rating released on May 4.

Three teams will represent the Golden State Athletic Conference: California Baptist, Point Loma Nazarene and Concordia (Calif.) (41-18). Six leagues advanced a pair of teams to Decatur.

For more information on the Championships | click here