Michigan to host NCAA regional

Alumni Field was not so friendly to the Michigan softball team last weekend. For the first time in the tournament's history, the Wolverines did not take home the Big Ten crown.

But Michigan will have a second chance to try its hand at playing host this weekend for the fifth-straight time. The NCAA Regional Championships will take place Thursday-Sunday at Alumni Field.

This year's tournament introduces a new format. Each of the eight regions are expanded to include two more teams, increasing the field to 48 squads.

The Wolverines received a No. 1 seed in the double-elimination tournament, but will be faced with tough competition. No. 6 seed Florida Atlantic will be Michigan's first opponent on Thursday. The game will be played at 4 p.m. and will be the last one played on the first day of competition. The other teams competing at Alumni Field will be Nebraska, Arizona State, Central Michigan and Notre Dame.

"We all have the same shot," coach Carol Hutchins said. "The one who stays focused will win."

Here is a look at the teams that will compete in NCAA Region VI for a chance to travel to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series:

No. 2 Nebraska: The Cornhuskers will be making their fifth-straight NCAA appearance. Nebraska fell just short of winning their second-straight Big 12 title by losing to Texas in the tournament final. The team will face Notre Dame at 1:30 pm on Thursday.

No. 3 Arizona State: Former Michigan pitcher Sara Griffin will return home as assistant coach for the Sun Devils. Arizona State is one out of seven Pac 10 teams competing in this year's championships. They suffered a loss at the hands of the Wolverines earlier in the season in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Arizona State will compete against Central Michigan at 11 a.m. on Thursday.

No. 4 Central Michigan: The Wolverines are very familiar with the Chippewas. Central Michigan ended the longest unbeaten streak in Michigan softball history earlier this season. Last time they traveled to Ann Arbor for a regional they took Michigan to two championship games before being eliminated.

No. 5 Notre Dame: Their first ever Big East championship capped off an undefeated regular season for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame is led by sophomore pitcher Jennifer Sharron who has been named Big East pitcher of the year for the following two seasons.

No. 6 Florida Atlantic: Florida Atlantic will head to Michigan on the heels of a Trans America Athletic Conference Championship. With a 47-18 record Florida Atlantic will face the Wolverines on Thursday at 4 p.m. in the first round of the tournament. The two teams competed earlier in the season in the Speedline Invitational, with the Wolverines coming out on top 4-1.

There's no place like home!

1) Michigan 3) Arizona St. 5) Notre Dame

2) Nebraska 4) Central Mich. 6) Florida Atlantic

Region I

1 UCLA

2 Missouri

3 Minnesota

4 Creighton

5 Cal St. Northridge

6 Alabama

Region II

1 Arizona

2 Kansas

3 Maryland

4 SW Texas

5 SE Mo. St.

6 E. Carolina

Region III

1 Washington

2 Hawaii

3 Tennessee

4 Cal St. Fullerton

5 Texas A&M

6 Colgate

Region IV

1 Fresno State

2 South Carolina

3 Stanford

4 Pacific

5 Texas Tech

6 Florida A&M

Region V

1 LSU

2 Oklahoma

3 Oregon St.

4 Southern Miss.

5 Long Beach St.

6 Southern

Region VII

1 SW Louisiana

2 Mass.

3 California

4 Hofstra

5 LI-Brooklyn

6 Manhattan

Region VIII

1 Texas

2 Depaul

3 Illinois-Chicago

4 Oregon

5 Michigan St.

6 Cornell

05-17-99