"Lady Cougars Named to NCCAA National Tournament Field"

written by Dave Parsons, Assistant Sports Information Director

   For the sixth time in seven years, the Mount Vernon Nazarene College women's fastpitch softball team will compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association national tournament when this year's event gets under way on Thursday, April 23, at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.

   The Lady Cougars (16-13) were selected as an at-large team in the eight-team tournament field. They are the only team from Ohio and from the NCCAA East Region. MVNC won three games at last year's double elimination tournament before being eliminated. Olivet Nazarene (IL) University won the 1997 title for the second straight year.

   The Lady Cougars are seeded seventh in this year' field and will face second-seeded Olivet Nazarene in their first game at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday. Other first round action will feature top-seeded Oakland City (IN) University versus eighth-seeded Indiana Wesleyan University, the host school at 10:00 a.m. At noon, Spring Arbor (MI) College, the fifth seed, will take on fourth-seeded Union (TN) University, while third-seeded Concordia (MI) College will face Bethel (IN) College, the sixth seed.

   Below is a look at the eight teams that make up the tournament field. For more information on the NCCAA and/or this tournament, visit the Official NCCAA Website.