OVC softball tournament will be moved to Alabama

Southeast softball

For the first time the Ohio Valley Conference tournament will be held at a neutral site.

The OVC announced Thursday morning that the OVC Board of Athletic Directors and Board of Presidents approved to move the OVC softball championships to Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama, for the next two seasons.

"We are delighted to host our softball championship at a first-class venue and are grateful for the support of the city leaders of Oxford," OVC commissioner Beth DeBauche said in a press release.

This season will mark the 23rd year the tournament has been held. The previous 22 have been at the campus of the No. 1 seed.

This year's eight-team, double-elimination tournament will be May 11 to 14 while the 2017 tournament is scheduled for May 10 to 13.

The Southeast Missouri State softball team made the OVC tournament last season for the first time since 2011.

The Redhawks (4-9) were slated to host the Southeast Games with visitors Bradley and Eastern Illinois this weekend, but the tournament was cancelled due to weather.

Southeast plays a doubleheader at Jackson State on Tuesday and a doubleheader at Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday before beginning OVC play.

The Redhawks host Murray State in their conference and home opener March 19, with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.