NCAA TOURNAMENT PORTAL
TOURNAMENT BRACKET
COLUMBUS, Ohio – For the second consecutive year the Ohio Dominican softball team returns to the NCAA Division II softball tournament. The reigning Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament champions successfully defended their title after winning an impressive five games in a row, including two contests against Trevecca Nazarene University in the title game to capture their second championship in as many years.
Because of its success ODU earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Midwest Regional and heads to Indianapolis, Indiana to compete in a pod that featured No.2 seed University of Indianapolis, No.3 seed Grand Valley State University, and fellow G-MAC institution No.7 seed University of Findlay.
The regional tournament takes place from Thursday, May 12 to Saturday, May 14. Games will take place at 11 AM and 1:30 PM Thursday afternoon with a third game being added on Friday at 4 PM.
Saturday sees the regional championship being contested at 12 PM and a decisive game seven will be played at 3 PM if necessary.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
ODU returns to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in as many years and the third time in the Division II era. Last season the Black and Gold finished with a record of 30-18 overall and 13-9 in conference play. The Panthers collected wins over Northwood University and Trevecca Nazarene during their appearance in the 2021 Midwest Regional in Allendale, Michigan.
CARDIAC CATS
The Panthers postseason run has been specular. Following an opening day loss to Findlay in the G-MAC tournament, the Black and Gold captured five consecutive victories including thrilling back-to-back wins against Trevecca in the G-MAC title game on Sunday morning.
This year's installment of the NCAA Tournament figures to be just as exciting as the Panthers have knabbed wins over three of the four teams in this regional tournament.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Reigning G-MAC freshman of the year Kaleigh Golden (Thornville, Ohio) leads the team in hitting this season with a .377 batting average. That mark gives her the ninth-best average in the league. Golden also boasts the seventh-best on base percentage in the league coming in with a .439 mark to end the season.
Junior Braxton Downs (Louisville, Kentucky) was the Panther power threat during the season. The Louisville native struck for 11 home runs and a career-high 50 RBIs this season. She is ranked fourth in the league in home runs and is in pole position in RBIs.
Sophomore Alexis Stevens (Marion, Ohio) has also performed when called upon. She is hitting for a .347 average this season and has the second-most RBIs on the team with 35 on the campaign.
It's been another masterful season for Sydney Long (Ashland, Ohio) in the circle for the Panthers. The senior has compiled an 18-8 record with eight shutouts and three saves. Long has also achieved a career-low ERA of 1.60 this season. She has been supported by Addison Smodilla (Terre Haute, Indiana) who has amassed an impressive 14-6 record and a career-best 2.61 ERA.
GAME TIME
Ohio Dominican begins its journey on Thursday afternoon facing Grand Valley State University at 1:30 PM.
Contact: Ralph Schudel
schudelr@ohiodominican.edu
