Softball headed to Oklahoma for NAIA Opening Round

NAIA Release

St. Gregory's Opening Round Website

The Bellevue University softball team will be heading to Shawnee, Okla. on May 12-14 to compete in the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round. The Bruins will open play on May 12 at 2 p.m. against Belhaven (Miss.) University at Firelake Ball Fields.

The Opening Round will consist of 10 four-team double-elimination tournaments across the country with the 10 winners competing in the NAIA Softball World Series on May 23-29 in Columbus, Ga. This is the second season the NAIA has used the Opening Round format for softball.

Bellevue (35-15/16-4 MCAC) earned an automatic berth into the National Tournament after winning the MCAC Tournament last Saturday in Conway, Ark. The Bruins defeated No. 23 Central Baptist College, 7-4, in the championship game.

Participants in the St. Gregory's Opening Round site include: No. 1 seed St. Gregory's (Okla.) University, No. 2 Bellhaven (Miss.) University, No. 3 Bellevue (Neb.) University, and No. 4 Concordia (Neb.) University. The tournament will be hosted by St. Gregory's University.

St. Gregory's is ranked No. 6 in the latest NAIA top 25 poll. Belhaven is ranked No. 15. Bellevue is receiving votes.

Bellevue will be making its seventh appearance in the NAIA National Tournament and its fourth in the last five years.

NAIA National Championship Opening Round

St. Gregory's Bracket | Firelake Ball Fields

Monday, May 12    
Game 1: No. 2 Belhaven (Miss.) vs. No. 3 Bellevue (Neb.), 2 p.m.
Game 2: No. 1 St. Gregory's (Okla.) vs. No. 4 Concordia (Neb.), 5 p.m.

Tuesday, May 13    
Game 3: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner, 12 p.m.
Game 4: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, 3 p.m.
Game 5: Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Winner, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 14    
Game 6: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner, 12 p.m.
Game 7: If necessary, 3 p.m.