May 11, 2008

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - In just one season, the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjack softball team has come a long way from the squad that finished ninth in the Southland Conference a year ago. But, after posting one of the best seasons in the program's Division I era, the Ladyjacks won't have far to travel for their first trip to the NCAA Championships.

SFA learned Sunday night, with the announcement of the NCAA Tournament field, that it will travel to College Station, Texas, to play in the Texas A&M regional. The four-team bracket includes the host Aggies, along with Louisiana Tech and Auburn.

The Ladyjacks will take on Texas A&M in the first round on Friday. SFA comes into the NCAA Tournament with a 36-23 record after winning the Southland Conference Tournament championship. The No. 5 Aggies are 49-7 on the season. A&M won the Big 12 regular-season title and took home the Big 12 Tournament championship Sunday.

The other first-round game will pit Louisiana Tech against Auburn. The Lady Techsters are 35-27. They finished fourth in the Western Athletic Conference regular-season race but defeated No. 1 seed Nevada in the WAC Tournament to earn their way into the NCAA field. Auburn (37-20) is the only team in SFA's bracket to earn an at-large bid. The Tigers finished third in the SEC West Division this season.

While game times were not available Sunday night, SFA's meeting with the Aggies is scheduled as the second game of the day Friday. Louisiana Tech and Auburn will kick things off in the double-elimination bracket.

The Ladyjacks' 36-23 record is the program's best mark since going 38-16 in 1991 and is the third-best win total since SFA joined the NCAA Division I ranks in 1988. The Ladyjacks finished fourth in the Southland this season, then won three straight games in the SLC Tournament to collect their second SLC postseason title. SFA won the Southland Tournament in 1990, which was the last time the Ladyjacks made the conference tourney field, prior to this season.

-- SFA --