CLAREMORE, Okla. - The Winona State University softball team opens up play at the 2022 NCAA Division II Softball National Championship on Thursday, May 12, competing in the Central Regional, hosted by Rogers State University. 

Most recently, Winona State (40-15, 23-5 NSIC) played their way to the 2022 NSIC Softball Tournament Championship Game, with three Warriors - Carly Engelhardt, Libby Neveau and Rylee Stout - earning All-NSIC Tournament team status for their contributions to the WSU runner-up finish. 

On Thursday, the Warriors will open up the 2022 NCAA Division II Softball Championship Tournament against top-seeded Rogers State University (47-9, 20-6 MIAA) in the four-team bracket in Claremore, Okla. Rogers State is ranked No. 4 in the country in the most recent NFCA poll. Joining the Warriors and Hillcats in Oklahoma are No. 5 Washburn University (45-13) and No. 4 Minnesota State - Mankato (46-12).  The highest remaining seed after Regional play concludes will host the super regional the following weekend.

For WSU, the bid marks the 15th NCAA Tournament appearance for the program, all of which have been earned under head coach Greg Jones (890-298-4) who has been at the helm of the Warrior program since 2000.  As a team, Winona State notched 40 wins in the 2022 season, with 38 victories against NCAA Division II competition and a season-opening sweep over NAIA power Grand View University. The Warriors have won 40 or more games 13 times under Jones. 

In the circle, Winona State pitcher Liz Pautz leads the nation in strikeouts-per-seven-innings (12.1) and is tenth in strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.66). The senior from Pulaski, Wis, led the league in strikeouts (321), strikeouts looking (81), and was second in wins (25).  Heading into the NCAA Regional Tournament, Pautz has 336 strikeouts, 26 wins, 34 appearances, along with eight shutouts. 

At the plate, Abbie Hlas is in the NCAA Division II top-10 in batting average (.456), which is the second-best NSIC mark in 2022. Hlas led the league in hits (78) while Warrior teammate Sam Keller has the most doubles in the Conference (21).  As a team defensively, the Warriors own the top fielding percentage mark in the NSIC at 0.975%. 

Winona State and Rogers State have faced off once in recent history, with the Hillcats beating the Warriors 3-2 in eight innings in a neutral-site contest on March 20, 2021. 

For comprehensive information on the 2022 Division II Softball Championship Central Regional, including live stream, live stats, updated bracket, and schedule, head to this link.

About the 2022 NCAA Division II Softball Championship Tournament

The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has selected the 64 teams that will participate in the 2022 NCAA Division II Softball Championship. Four teams will participate at each of the 16 regional sites in double-elimination tournaments, held May 12-14. Winners will advance to the super regionals, slated for May 19-20. The finals will be held May 26-31 at the Assembly Athletic Complex in Denver and will be hosted by Metropolitan State University of Denver. 

For the complete NCAA Division II Softball Championship Bracket, head to CLICK HERE.