CHATTANOOGA, TN. – The Nova Southeastern Softball team kicks off action tomorrow at the NCAA DII Softball Championship. After winning the program’s first NCAA South Super Regional championship, NSU looks to carry that momentum into tomorrow’s opening-round matchup. The Sharks will take on #2 seed Central Oklahoma at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga, TN., Thursday, May 25th. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
NSU earned the No. 7 seed in the tournament and is joined in pool play by No. 3 seed North Georgia (59-6), No. 6 seed East Stroudsburg (43-17) and the No. 2 seed Bronchos. UNG and ESSU play at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
The other four-team pool consists of top-seeded Texas-Tyler (59-4), fourth-seeded Wilmington (44-14), fifth-seeded Grand Valley State (45-6) and eighth-seeded Cal State-San Marcos (37-19).
The two pool winners meet in a best-of-three finals series May 30-31 to decide the NCAA DII Softball National Champion.
Head Coach Julie LeMaire – I’m so excited for the girls and the opportunity to compete on this stage at the national level. There are so many great teams here and we look forward to a great week of softball. I hope we continue to make history for the NSU softball team!
- The Sharks are making their first appearance at the NCAA DII World Series.
- The Bronchos are 7-4 in three previous appearances in the Division II Softball Championship.
The Sharks have won 15 of their last 16 games. Leading the charge in the batting box is Alexis Smith, Smith a First Team All-South Region selection has been batting .412 with 15 doubles, a Division II-leading 14 triples, five homers, 48 RBI and 38 stolen bases. Ryleigh Langwell and Kerstyn Shaw also helped lead the Sharks hitting barrage, batting .389 and .352 respectively.
In the pitching circle, is none other than the Swiss Army Knife, Alyssa Drogemuller. The First Team All-South Region Selection has been a force in the circle. Accumulating a 24-7 record, 1.63 ERA, and 69 strikeouts in 206.2 innings.
Central Oklahoma is spearheaded by their impressive fielding, leading Division II in team defense with a stellar .981 fielding percentage and ranking third in double plays (25). The Bronchos also have six players hitting over .300, Harper (.398). Minter (.364), Ritz (.357), Deramus (.356), Lemos (.332), and Huggins (.318).
The Sharks and Bronchos will open its matchup on Thursday, May 25 at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga, TN. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
