2021 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round Day Three Recap
May 19, 2021
World Series Bracket | Click HERE for opening round central website that features live stats, live video streaming and score updates.
Day Three Highlights
- There were 14 games played on the third and final day of the NAIA Softball Opening Round Series. Ten teams finished atop their respective brackets and will make the trip to Columbus, Ga. for the 2021 NAIA Softball World Series next week.
- The 2019 defending national champions, Southern Oregon, return to the 2021 NAIA Softball World Series as the No. 1 overall. The Raiders went 3-0 in their bracket defeating St. Katherine (Calif.) and Hope International (Calif.).
- In the Oklahoma City bracket, Ottawa (Kan.) was crowned champion going 3-0 defeating Oklahoma City, Dickinson State (N.D.) and Midland (Neb.).
- The Braves will be the No. 5 seed at the final site in Columbus, Georgia. Ottawa (Kan.) defeated Midland for a second time scoring 11 runs each game to advance to the final site for the fourth time in program history.
- Bethany (Kan.) is one of three No. 4 seeds to advance from the opening round bracket. The Swedes defeated the nationally ranked, No. 3 USAO yesterday and Grand View (Iowa) today for their spot in Georgia.
- This will be the Swedes second time at the World Series, last appearance in 2012.
- Mount Mercy is another No. 4 seed to advance from the opening round bracket.
- Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) makes their 10th appearance in the World Series winning the Bowling
- Milligan (Tenn.) clinched its first NAIA Softball World Series appearance with a 6-3 victory Wednesday afternoon against the Rio Grande (Ohio) to conclude a three-game sweep in the Lawrenceville Bracket.
- Houston-Victoria (Texas) is another No. 4 seed to advance from the opening round bracket out of the Hattiesburg Bracket.
- The Jaguars as they rallied from a 1-0 deficit in the bottom of the seventh to capture the championship undefeated.
- Oregon Tech is one of two No. 1 seeds to win their bracket and advance to the World Series. The Hustlin' Owls won their 11th straight game to win the Waleska Bracket.
- The Fayette Bracket faced weather conditions most of the opening round series but despite changing times and fields College of Idaho was able to claim the victory and earn their spot on the big stage.
- The 40th annual NAIA Softball World Series event takes place from May 27 – June 2 at South Commons in Columbus, Ga.
World Series Qualifiers
| Institution | Seed | Qualification Method | Record | Appearances | Last Time | WS Record | Titles |
| Southern Oregon | 1 | Southern Oregon Bracket Champion | 49-5 | 4th | 2019 | 10-5 | 1 |
| Oregon Tech | 2 | Waleska Bracket Champion | 46-8 | 6th | 2019 | 14-8 | 1 |
| Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) | 3 | Bowling Green Bracket Champion | 34-6 | 10th | 2014 | 11-17 | 0 |
| College of Idaho | 4 | Fayette Bracket Champion | 42-17 | 4th | 2014 | 5-6 | 0 |
| Ottawa (Kan.) | 5 | Oklahoma City Bracket Champion | 44-5 | 4th | 2017 | 1-9 | 0 |
| Madonna (Mich.) | 6 | Columbia (Ky.) Bracket Champion | 33-9 | 5th | 2012 | 6-7 | 0 |
| Mount Mercy (Iowa) | 7 | Columbia (Mo.) Bracket Champion | 36-15 | 5th | 2010 | 5-8 | 0 |
| Milligan (Tenn.) | 8 | Lawrenceville Bracket Champion | 32-7 | 1st | - | - | 0 |
| Bethany (Kan.) | 9 | Chickasa Bracket Champion | 29-27 | 2nd | 2012 | 1-2 | 0 |
| Houston-Victoria (Texas) | 10 | Hattiesburg Bracket Champion | 22-21 | 3rd | 2012 | 2-4 | 0 |
