HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University softball team has earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Tournament, and the Norse will play host to that double-elimination event May 12-15 at the Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field.

NKU, which enters the NCAA Division II Tournament with a 50-0 overall record, will play at 3 p.m. this Thursday against either fourth-seeded Ferris State (30-18) or fifth-seeded Northwood (31-12). Those two teams play in the first round at 10 a.m. Thursday, with the winner advancing to meet top-seeded NKU.

Southern Illinois at Edwardsville (40-13) is the No. 2 seed and will also have a bye in the first round. The Cougars will take on either third-seeded West Virginia Wesleyan (41-16) or sixth-seeded Gannon (32-16) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

If NKU wins its game Thursday, the Norse will play at 3 p.m. Friday. If NKU loses in the first round, the Norse will play at 12:30 p.m. Friday in an elimination bracket contest.

NKU’s 50 consecutive wins entering the NCAA Tournament are the most in collegiate softball history. The Norse won the NCAA II Great Lakes Region championship last season.

NCAA II Great Lakes Regional
(hosted by Northern Kentucky University)
Frank Ignatius Grein Softball Field
Highland Heights, Ky.

Thursday, May 12
Game 1 - #4 Ferris State (30-18) vs. #5 Northwood (31-12), 10 a.m.
Game 2 - #3 West Virginia Wesleyan (41-16) vs. #6 Gannon (32-16), 12:30 p.m.
Game 3 - #1 Northern Kentucky (50-0) vs. Ferris State/Northwood winner, 3 p.m.
Game 4 - #2 Southern Illinois at Edwardsville (40-13) vs. West Virginia Wesleyan/Gannon winner, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, May 13
Game 5 - Game 1 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 10 a.m.
Game 6 - Game 2 loser vs. Game 3 loser, 12:30 p.m.
Game 7 - Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 3 p.m.
Game 8 - Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 14
Game 9 - Game 8 winner vs. Game 7 loser, 10 a.m.
Game 10 - Game 7 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 15
Game 11 - If necessary, noon