5/10-Illini softball earns spot in NCAA Tournament

URBANA, Ill. - The Illinois softball team and host Missouri Tigers (45-9) will square off in their own version of the Braggin Rights game, as the two teams meet in the Regional round of the NCAA Division I Softball Championship on Friday, May 15 at 5 p.m. (CT) at Audrey Walton Stadium in Columbia, Mo. The Illini qualified for the postseason tournament for the first time since 2004 and third time in program history with a record of 29-15 and 12-7 in the Big Ten, good for a fifth-place finish in the conference. "Obviously, were excited for our team and for the university," Illini head coach Terri Sullivan said. "We have a great group of kids that will represent the best of Illinois. Were glad to be playing close to home and we know about the rivalry between Missouri and Illinois (in other sports), so well have to create one of our own. Theres no better time to do that than now." The No. 15-seed DePaul Blue Demons (37-12) and Bradley Braves (25-26) are also included in Illinois Regional. The 64-team field is made up of 16 four-team regions. Each region will play a double-elimination tournament, with the winner of the Regional advancing to the Super Regionals May 22-23. Although instate foes DePaul and Bradley are familiar opponents from earlier in the 2009 season, ironically, the Illini have never faced their foe from across the border. In March, Illinois dropped a 6-2 decision to DePaul, while knocking off the Braves, 4-0, in April. Illinois RPI ranked 29th as of last Tuesday, and its résumé featured wins over four different ranked opponents, including No. 18/21 Houston, No. 19/24 Texas A&M, No. 18/23 Southern Illinois and twice over No. 11/7 Northwestern. The Orange and Blue played their best ball down the stretch, winning five of their last six and eight of their last 10 during the regular season. In addition to the Orange and Blue, five other Big Ten teams also made the tournament. Three conference teams were seeded, including No. 5 Michigan, No. 11 Ohio State and No. 12 Northwestern. Iowa and Purdue round out the six Big Ten teams selected to the field. The last time Illinois qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2004, the Illini made it all the way to the Sweet 16. Illinois won its first game before falling to No. 21 Baylor, then reeled off three straight victories to avoid elimination. The Illini battled No. 3 LSU, but fell short against the Tigers, ending Illinois impressive tournament run. In 2003, the Orange and Blue made their first postseason appearance, winning their first game against Georgia Tech before falling to No. 16 Alabama and Massachusetts.