After a very successful debut last season, the Montana State Billings softball team will host the Second Annual MSUB Desert Stinger softball tournament at Las Vegas' Majestic Park this weekend. The tournament begins today and will last through Sunday evening. WNMU kicks off the tournament against Augustana (SD).
What has become the largest NCAA Division II softball tournament hosted by a single school in the country, the 2011 edition of the MSUB Desert Stinger features 24 competitive teams, one being Western New Mexico University, representing eight conferences and four different regions throughout the U.S. This year's field is sure to produce some of the best softball action around.
Two nationally ranked teams, #14 Grand Canyon and #25 Central Washington, are among two of the talented teams in this year's field. Also competing in the tournament will be four other teams that are currently receiving votes in the top 25 poll including, Dixie State, Lewis University, Augustana College (SD) and St. Edward's.
There are 60 games to be played out over the three-day tournament, with 24 games played at 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 18 games being played at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
The way the schedule is laid out, all 24 teams are guaranteed five games apiece with every team playing in-region contests to help with their RPI schedule and are guaranteed not to play conference opponents.
Last year's tournament saw three teams go undefeated, Grand Canyon, Augustana and St. Mary's (TX), while every team earned at least one win during the tournament. Using a tiebreak system, Grand Canyon was declared the winners.
At the end of the tournament, coaches and scorers voted on 20 players to comprise a first and second all-tournament team with the leading vote getter, Lexi Stephens of St. Edward's, earning tournament most valuable player honors.
Updated stats and photos can be found throughout the weekend at the tournament's web page:
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