The 2011 NCAA Division I Women's Softball Championship tournament began this past weekend with the double elimination regional round. Cal and Stanford were both able to advance as they won all three of their games over the weekend. They both now advance to the Super Regionals starting Thursday afternoon. If the two schools advance from there to the College World Series they would potentially meet. You can view a printable bracket of the tournament at ncaa.com.
California is a seven seed in the 2011 tournament following a 39-10 season. This was Cal's ninth regional in school history and fifth super regionals appearance since the super regional was added in 2005. The Bears were in the Louisville Regional and defeated the host Cardinals twice to advance. They also defeated Jacksonville State to finish 3-0 in the regional.
The Bears will travel to Lexington, Kentucky to face the University of Kentucky, who defeated Michigan to advance out of the Ann Arbor region. The series will be a best of three affair, with game one scheduled for Saturday May 28 on ESPNU and games two and three scheduled for Sunday May 29.
Stanford is a fifteen seed in the 2011 tournament following a 38-15 season. The Cardinal won their seventh regional title and advanced to their fifth super regionals appearance since the super regional was added in 2005. The Cardinal hosted the region and advanced with a 3-0 record courtesy of wins over Pacific, Fresno State, and Stanford.
The Cardinal will now face number two overall seed Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide won their own hosted regional with three straight wins as well. The best of three series will start on Thursday with games two and three scheduled for Friday.