Minnesota State Softball team begins NCAA Tournament on Thursday
MANKATO, Minn. — The Minnesota State softball team has been named the eighth seed in the NCAA Central Region and will now advance on to the NCAA sub region tournament on Thursday as it takes on the first-seed Central Oklahoma Bronchos. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT.
NCAA Tournament History: Minnesota State’s trip to the NCAA Tournament this season marks its 19th appearance at the big dance. This is MSU’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since the 2022 season. In total the Mavericks own a 41-38 (.518) record in NCAA Tournament games.
About NCAA Central Sub Region: The NCAA Central Sub Region Tournament will be hosted by #1 Seed Central Oklahoma. Fourth-seeded Rogers State, fifth-seeded Pittsburg State and eighth-seeded Minnesota State will make the trip down to Edmond, Okla. The double elimination sub regional will take place over the course of three days from May 8-10 at Gerry Pinkston Stadium.
The other NCAA Central Sub Region includes #2 Southern Arkansas, #3 Augustana, #6 Missouri Southern and #7 Harding. The winning teams from both sub regions will face off in a best of three series at the NCAA Super Regional which will take place from May 15-16. The highest seed will serve as host.
NCAA Central Sub Region Schedule
May 8
Game 1: #1 Central Oklahoma vs. #8 Minnesota State, 1:00 p.m. CT
Game 2: #4 Rogers State vs. #5 Pittsburg State, 3:30 p.m. CT
May 9
Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2, 1:00 p.m. CT
Game 4: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2, 3:30 p.m. CT
Game 5: Loser of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4, 6:00 p.m. CT
May 10
Game 6: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5, 1:00 p.m. CT
Game 7: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5, 3:30 p.m. CT (if necessary)
Against Central Oklahoma: Thursday’s game between Minnesota State and Central Oklahoma marks their 11th all-time meeting with MSU leading the series 9-1. Earlier this season the Mavericks defeated UCO 3-2 back on Feb. 24 in Topeka, Kan.
