SEMO SOFTBALL TEAM HEADED TO ARIZONA; OTAHKIANS' FIRST NCAA FOE WILL BE KANSAS

Southeast Missouri State University's softball team will travel west for its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament.

The Otahkians will be part of a six-team regional hosted by the University of Arizona in Tucson, with double-elimination play held Thursday through Sunday. Southeast, seeded fifth, will take on second-seeded Kansas Thursday at 6 p.m. CDT.

About 100 people -- including the Southeast squad members and coaches -- gathered Sunday night at the University Center as the NCAA's 48-team bracket was announced during a satellite hookup.

"It didn't really matter where we were sent to," said Southeast coach Lana Richmond. "We're just excited about the opportunity to play in the tournament."

Southeast (30-15) gained its first-ever Division I tourney berth through an automatic bid for winning the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

Kansas (29-28), which has a rich softball tradition, gained an at-large berth to become one of seven Big 12 Conference members in the tournament.

Arizona (47-13), which lost in last year's national championship game, is the regional's No. 1 seed, followed by Kansas, Maryland (47-20), Southwest Texas State (34-29), Southeast and East Carolina (50-18).

Maryland and Southwest Texas will get the regional started at 3:30 p.m. CDT Thursday. After Southeast plays Kansas, Arizona and East Carolina will square off at 8:30 p.m.

Richmond was elated that Southeast gained a No. 5 seed -- and she was also happy with the Otahkians' draw, even though Kansas defeated Southeast 7-0 on March 19 during a tournament in California.

"I thought we got a great draw. My goal all along was to get a No. 5 seed and I thought our chances were pretty good," she said. "Arizona is one of the top teams in the country but four teams in our regional are in for the first time.

"I definitely feel like we can go there and make some noise. That's why we're so excited."

Southeast's players expressed plenty of excitement after seeing the pairings.

"I think it's exciting to be part of the first team from Southeast Missouri to advance to the NCAA Tournament," said shortstop Jenny Oermann, the OVC Player of the Year. "I think it's an advantage to play Kansas the first round, having seen them before."

Said senior pitcher Debbie Schmelz, "Kansas is a very good hitting team, but I feel that we were not at our best. I now think we can compete with them and show them what we have."

Added outfielder Anne Trieb, "Playing in the NCAA's is a great opportunity for Southeast Missouri softball. We are excited to draw Kansas since we saw them earlier this year."

Outfielder Kelsey White, the OVC Tournament MVP, said the Otahkians will be looking to leave a mark for Southeast softball.

"I think we can go to Arizona and show everyone that Southeast Missouri softball can compete," she said.

The NCAA Tournament consists of eight six-team regionals, with other regional sites being Los Angeles; Seattle; Fresno, Calif.; Baton Rouge, La.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; Amherst, Mass.; and Chicago.

The nation's top eight teams were each placed in a regional as a No. 1 seed. In addition to Arizona, other top seeds are UCLA, Washington, Fresno State, LSU, Michigan, Southwestern Louisiana and Texas.

Each regional winner will advance to the Women's College World Series May 27-31 in Oklahoma City, Okla.