The NAIA National Office revealed the 40- teams that made the 2018 NAIA National Championship Opening Round tournaments, hosted at 10 locations around the country. Northwestern College earned the No.3 seed in the four-team Southern Oregon Bracket and are joined by top seed Southern Oregon, No.2 seed University of Saint Francis (Ill.) and No.4 seed Simpson (Calif.).
Head Coach Chris Nachtigall’s squad will play St. Francis in the first game on Monday, May 14 at 1pm (CST) (11am PST).
The winner of the three day, double-elimination tournament will earn a spot in the 2018 NAIA Softball World Series which is played in Clermont, Fla. from May 25-31.
Quick Look at the teams in the Southern Oregon Bracket:
No.1 Seed Southern Oregon-ranked 8th in final poll; 44-12 overall record, 22-5 conf
-won the Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season/postseason titles
-making third straight and overall opening round appearance
-5-3 record in opening round; advancing to the World Series 1x (2017)
No.2 Seed University of St.Francis (Ill.)-ranked 15th in final poll; 38-7 overall record, 21-1 conf
-won the Chicagoland Conference regular season/postseason titles
-making third overall and second straight opening round appearance
4-4 overall record
No.3 Seed Northwestern College-received votes in final poll; 35-11 overall record, 15-5 conf.
-won the GPAC regular season title
-making first appearance to the opening round; third overall trip to national tournament
No.4 Seed Simpson (Calif.)-not ranked; 34-20 overall record, 18-2 conf.
-won both the California Pacific Conference regular season/postseason titles
-making fourth overall and third straight appearance to the opening round
-9-4 record in opening round; 2 World Series appearances
