MOBILE, Ala. -- The University of Mobile softball team (46-10) will open up play in their 11th consecutive NAIA National Tournament on Friday, May 20, at 10:30 a.m. when the Rams play their first of four straight pool play games.

 

Mobile will play four pool play games on Friday and Saturday with the top two teams from each of the four pools advancing to the quarterfinals beginning on Monday, May 23.

 

The Rams will face William Penn University from Iowa in their opener on Friday at 10:30 a.m. William Penn (50-19) received an automatic bid to the national tournament after last week's Region VII tournament championship.

 

In their next match, the Rams will face William Woods (50-12) in their second game of the day on Friday at 3:30 p.m. William Woods, the Region V tournament champion, defeated Mobile 4-1 back on March 4 in the Gulf Coast Softball Invitational in the two team's only meeting of the season.

 

On Saturday, May 21, the Rams will take on two-time NAIA national champion, Simon Frasier (30-8) of British Columbia. Simon Frasier, the Region I tournament champion, defeated Mobile 3-1 in the championship game of the 2003 NAIA national tournament.

 

Finally, Mobile will play Savannah Art & Design, who is making their first trip ever to the NAIA national softball tournament, on Saturday at 6 p.m. Savannah Art & Design (34-15) won the Region XIV tournament championship.

 

After pool play is complete, the top two teams from each of the four pools will advance on to Monday's quarterfinal action.

 

Mobile will be competing in their 12th national tournament and 11th consecutive tournament. In those tournaments, the Rams have a combined 27-22 record with a second place finish in 2003 and two fourth place finishes.

 

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