For the first time in 20 years, the SEMO Softball team is headed to the NCAA Tournament.
The Redhawks won the OVC Tournament Championship last week with a 4-1 record, climbing back out of the loser’s bracket to defeat regular season co-champion Jacksonville State twice on Saturday.
Senior outfielder Mykaela Arellanes was voted the OVC Tournament's Most Valuable Player. During the tournament, Arellanes hit .500 (8-for-16), with five runs scored, eight RBI and four walks.
Addison Barnouski, Rachel Anderson and Haley Thogmartin joined Arellanes on the All-Tournament Team.
By winning the OVC Tournament, the Redhawks (45-16) earned the Ohio Valley Conference automatic bid for the NCAA Tournament and will play at the Oxford, Mississippi NCAA Softball Regional this week.
SEMO will join host Ole Miss (37-17), Chattanooga (37-15) and Louisiana (50-4) at the four-team Regional.
The Redhawks make their second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history and first since 1999 after winning eight of its last nine games.
Meanwhile, the Redhawks opening round opponent, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, have a 50-4 record and are ranked #7 in the nation in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll.
Today’s matchup vs. Louisiana will be webcast live on ESPN3, with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Follow Redhawk Athletics on Twitter @GoSoutheast.
