UH Hilo Softball Seeded Seventh in NCAA West Regional

The University of Hawai`i at Hilo softball team knew coming into Monday’s NCAA bracket show that they would have a spot in the West Regional this week. They now know that they will have an old conference foe waiting for them in Friday’s opening round.

The Vulcans, who finished the season with a 39-17 record, were seeded seventh in the West Region and placed in the second regional pool, hosted by second-seeded Dixie State in St. George, Utah. The conference foes will meet on Friday to open the double-elimination tournament.

UHH did not travel to Dixie State this year, but the Red Storm visited the Vulcans and split a pair of conference games on March 7. Dixie State took the first game that day in eight innings by the score of 2-1. UHH responded with a 5-0 shutout in game two.

The winner will face either Sonoma State, seeded third, or number six Cal State Dominguez Hills. The losers of both games will fall to the losers bracket, creating a long way to bracket’s championship.

The top overall seed in the West region is Humboldt State. They will host three other schools in the other West regional bracket. Fellow PacWest member Grand Canyon, seeded fourth, will take on fifth seed St. Martin’s for the right to face either Humboldt State or UC San Diego.

ESPN Radio and ESPNHawaii.com will broadcast Friday’s game beginning at 11:30 a.m. Hawaii time.

NCAA West 2 Regional Schedule (all games at Dixie State’s Karl Brooks Field)

Friday

9:00 a.m. – #6 Cal State Dominguez Hills vs. #3 Sonoma State

11:30 a.m. – #7 Hawai`i Hilo vs. #2 Dixie State

Saturday

7:00 a.m. – Cal State Dominguez Hills/Sonoma State winner vs. Hawai`i Hilo/Dixie State winner

9:30 a.m. – Cal State Dominguez Hills/Sonoma State loser vs. Hawai`i Hilo/Dixie State loser

12:00 p.m. – Loser of first game vs. winner of second game

Sunday

8:00 a.m. – Winner of Saturday’s first game vs. Winner of Saturday’s third game

10:30 a.m. – If necessary, rematch of first game