For the second time in school history, the Claflin University softball team will make an appearance in the NCAA Division II Softball Championship when the sixth-seeded Lady Panthers play No. 3 West Chester University on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. (EST) in the opening round of the Atlantic Regional.The six-team, double-elimination tournament will be played May 19-22, at North Campus Field in Kutztown, Pa.
With an opening round win, Claflin will advance to play No. 2 Shepherd University, which received an opening-round bye, on Thursday, May 20 at 12:30 p.m.If the Lady Panthers lose to West Chester, they will face the loser of the No. 4 East Stroudsburg and No. 5 West Liberty contest at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
Claflin received the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) automatic bid into the tournament. The CIAA did not host a softball championship this season due to COVID-19. A special format was used to determine which team would receive the conference’s automatic bid.
The Lady Panthers will be the only team from a historically black college/university (HBCU) participating in this year’s NCAA Division II Softball Championship.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to play West Chester," head coach James “Marty” Kinard said. "When you think of the Atlantic region and its history, West Chester is one of the teams that come to mind. They have played well as of late, winning the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament Championship and doing a lot of things on the offensive side of the ball that can create problems. But we will be prepared for them.”
“This is truly an exciting time for Claflin University Athletics," said Tony O’Neal, director of athletics at Claflin. "I am pleased with the team's accomplishments and the commitment of the entire athletic department. We now have a chance to compete for a national championship.”
Claflin made its first appearance in the NCAA Division II Softball Championship in 2017, when it won the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Tournament. The Lady Panthers earned an automatic berth to the South Regional.
Claflin will enter the tournament after playing only nine games, the fewest number of games among the teams in the regional tournament. The Lady Panthers have an 8-1 record and West Chester is 30-14.
“The number of games we played is not as much of a concern as the month-long layoff since playing our last game,” Kinard said. “But after that first pitch, we will be ready to go. This group has the experience and knows what it takes to win at the highest level.”
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