FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kim Ippolito, Graduate Assistant to Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

May 14, 2014 – The North Central College softball team will be hosting the 2014 NCAA Division III Softball Championship Super Regional series held Friday and Saturday. This is the first time Super Regionals exists in the NCAA postseason tournament as North Central will go up against the 13-ranked University of St. Thomas Tommies (Minn.) who they defeated earlier this season, 4-3.
                                                            
"Anytime you host something big like this it's a magnitude display," said head coach Jim Kulawiak. "It's a chance to show the facilities that make it successful."
 
The University of St. Thomas is 40-6 overall, leads the country in batting average and is currently on a four-game winning streak after defeating Augustana College 10-7 last week to win regionals.
 
"It'll be tough," said Kulawiak. "They're so good on offense. You have to have a certain amount of intensity."
 
The Cardinals have pushed to a 32-11 overall record, going undefeated in the regional tournament and winning their last three.
 
Kayla Antle has taken over the offensive chart with a .391 batting average including her second walk-off home run of the season on Saturday. She leads the team in runs scored (39) and also ranks high in total hits (54), doubles (10) and RBI (21).
 
Kiersten Tinkoff isn't far behind her, also gaining a home run during regionals. She is batting .375 with 29 RBI and nine doubles.
 
Defensively, the Cardinals have been communicating well and remain solid on the field. During the three games in regionals, North Central walked away with no errors.
 
"We have to keep our normal routine and play how we did last week," said Kulawiak.
 
Pitcher Andrea Starr (16-5) was named Most Outstanding Player of the Pella regional tournament last week after she went 3-0 and only allowed four runs. She holds a 2.20 ERA with her 136.2 innings pitched and 70 strikeouts on the season.
 
Vlasta Mangia (10-5) has a 1.79 ERA in her 98 innings pitched collecting 47 strikeouts so far this year. Both women remain some of the most consistent competitors on the team.
 
"We're going to see how they look," said Kulawiak. "They know they will have to be ready to go."
 
Games will be played at Shanower Family Field (435 South Loomis St., Naperville, IL 60540). On Friday game one will get started at 4 p.m. On Saturday game two begins at 1 p.m. with possible game three set at 3:30 p.m.
 
"It's an exciting time," said Kulawiak. "It'll be fun."
 
Cost of admission is $5 per day for adults and $3 for students or senior citizens and will be sold on the day of the event.

The winner of the best-of-three tournament will move on to Nationals May 22-27 in Tyler, Texas.