Minnesota State Softball Secures Spot in NCAA Tournament with 8th Seed in Central Region
INDIANAPOLIS – During the 2025 NCAA DII Softball Selection Show Monday morning, the Minnesota State softball team (38-18, 21-7 NSIC) earned the No. 8 seed in the Central Region and will now take on top-seeded Central Oklahoma in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Mavericks are set to play the Broncos in Edmond, Okla. on Thursday, May 8 at 1:00 p.m. CDT.
The 64-team championship field will start with regionals on May 8, with final rounds occurring from Thursday, May 22, through Wednesday, May 28 at Frost Stadium at Warner Park, Chattanooga, TN.
First, four teams will participate at each of 16 regional sites in a double-elimination tournament. The 16 teams advancing from regional competition will then participate in a two-team, best-of-three super regional at eight sites. The finals will include the eight super regional winners. The national champion will be determined in a best-of-three final series.
The Central Region is made up of schools from the NSIC, the MIAA and the GAC.
Minnesota State finished its regular season second in the NSIC standings. Last week, the Mavericks were ranked eighth in the Regional Rankings.
MSU defeated Wayne State in walk-off fashion thanks to an RBI single hit by freshman lead off hitter Carly Kimmes in the NSIC Tournament last week. The team fell short in its semifinal game against Winona State, 5-2.
The Warriors went on to lose in the NSIC Tournament Championship to Augustana, who was ranked No. 3 in the Central Region during the selection show. The Vikings were the only other NSIC school to be selected to the NCAA Tournament and will take on Missouri Southern State.
Minnesota State is 9-1 against Central Oklahoma. The last time these teams faced off was earlier this season at the Washburn Invite in Topeka, Kan. The Mavericks took down the No. 13 ranked Broncos 3-2. MSU’s sole loss to UCO was back in 2013.
