INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The first edition of the NCAA Division II softball regional rankings were released and Winona State is under consideration in the central region. Again this year, for NCAA Division II sports with regional rankings, schools will be listed as under consideration in alphabetical order for the first ranking of the season. 
 
The Warriors are 34-11 overall and 15-5 within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. WSU heads to Southwest Minnesota State and Augustana for a pair of doubleheaders this weekend. NSIC opponents, Augustana, Minnesota Duluth, and Minnesota State are also under consideration for the central region rankings.
 
The 40-team NCAA Central Region is made up of teams from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and the Great American Conference (GAC). Automatic bids are awarded to the tournament champions from each conference with the final five spots awarded on an at-large basis. 

The championship provides for a field of 64 teams. Four teams will participate at each of 16 regional sites in a double elimination tournament. The 16 teams advancing from regional competition will participate in a two-team, best-of-three super regional at eight sites. The finals will include the eight super regional winners. The national champion will be determined in a best-of-three final series. 

The NCAA softball selections will be announced on www.NCAA.com on Monday, May 5.  The NCAA Championships are set for May 22-28 at Frost Stadium at Warner Park, Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

For the most up-to-date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit:  www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.