FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHAPMAN EARNS SIXTH STRAIGHT REGIONAL PLAYOFF BERTH

ORANGE, Calif. –  For the sixth year in a row, the Chapman University softball team has earned a berth in the NCAA Division III West Region playoffs. The Panthers will travel to Tyler, Texas for this year’s regional tournament and will be seeded sixth in the seven-team tournament hosted by the University of Texas-Tyler. Chapman will face No. 3 seed Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) on Thursday at noon (central) to open the double-elimination tournament.

The Panthers are making their 12th postseason appearance in 14 seasons under head coach Janet Lloyd, including seven regional championships. Chapman (27-9) won 16 of their final 20 regular season games and is currently ranked No. 12 in Division III according to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

No. 1 Louisiana College, No. 2 UT-Tyler, defending national champion No. 4 Linfield College (Ore.), No. 5 Redlands and No. 7 La Verne round out the tournament bracket. Of the seven tournament participants, five are currently ranked in the top-12 in the Division III coaches poll. The team that advances to Salem, Va. will be the No. 1 seed at the Division III championships. Chapman is 2-3 this season against the field, earning double-header splits with both Redlands and La Verne and suffering a 4-0 loss to Linfield in March.

The Panthers are led offensively by senior C Amanda Campbell and junior OF Erin Dudzinski, who are batting .437 and .422, respectively, and have combined for nine home runs and 50 RBI. Five Panther starters are hitting .347 or better this season in support of the Chapman pitching staff, which ranks in the top-35 in the nation in team ERA with a 1.83 mark. Senior RHP Jennifer Winford is 15-5 with a 1.33 ERA and eight shutouts, while sophomore RHP Katie Finley is 10-4 with 117 strikeouts in just 86 innings.

UT-Tyler is hosting the event while making their first-ever NCAA playoff appearance. The Patriots are in their first year as a member of NCAA Division III.

NCAA Division III West Region Championships Schedule
(hosted by University of Texas-Tyler)

Thursday, May 8
Game 1: #4 Linfield (36-4) vs. #5 Redlands (34-10); 10 a.m.
Game 2: #3 Mary Hardin-Baylor (32-9) vs. #6 Chapman (27-9); 12 p.m.
Game 3: #2 UT-Tyler (40-7) vs. #7 La Verne (27-17); 2 p.m.
Game 4: #1 Louisiana College vs. Winner of Game 1; 4 p.m.

Friday, May 9
Game 5: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 3; 10 a.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 6: Loser of Game 2 vs. Loser of Game 4; 12 p.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 7: Winner of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 3; 2 p.m.
Game 8: Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6; 4 p.m. (loser eliminated)
 
Saturday, May 10
Game 9: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 7; 10 a.m.
Game 10: Loser of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 8; 12 p.m. (loser eliminated)
Game 11: Loser of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 10; 2 p.m. (loser eliminated)
 
Saturday, May 11
Game 12: Winner of Game 9 vs. Winner of Game 11; 12 p.m.
Game 13: Winner of Game 12 vs. Loser of Game 12; 2 p.m. (if necessary)

 
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NCAA West Region Tournament Website & Bracket:
http://www.uttyler.edu/athletics/ncaa/