Salukis host NCAA softball regional

Tournament time is nothing new when it comes to the SIU women's softball team.

Firing it home - Saluki senior standout pitcher Cassidy Scoggins and the rest of the SIU women's softball team host the NCAA women's softball tournament regional at Charlotte West Stadium, beginning Friday. Scoggins is 21-9 this season, and is just the fifth Saluki to earn first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors three times. Scoggins has a 1.80 ERA, with 209 strikeouts in 213.1 innings. - Saluki Media Services

There is an added element this year, however, as the Salukis prepare for its fifth consecutive trip to postseason play — home-field advantage as the Salukis will play in front of fans at Charlotte West Stadium.

The Salukis, 40-13, host one of 16 NCAA women's softball regionals this weekend. The double-elimination tournament begins Friday and runs through Sunday's championship.

The tournament begins at 2 p.m. Friday with DePaul (41-11) facing Mississippi Valley State (29-26). The Salukis then face Missouri (38-22) in the next game, at approximately 4:30 p.m.

The two winners from Friday's game play at noon on Saturday, with Friday's two losing teams playing at 2:30 p.m. An elimination game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday.

Sunday's action begins at noon. If a second game is needed, it will begin at 2:30 p.m.

More Carbondale Regional tournament information is available here. Additional information on the NCAA women's softball tournament is available here.

Coach Kerri Blaylock's squad is one of only 23 teams in this year's tournament field to appear in the tournament five or more consecutive years. The streak began in 2003.

All-tournament passes are $25 apiece; grandstand seating is available for $10 per day, per person. Lawn seating is $7 for adults; $5 for SIUC students with a valid SIUC I.D., high school students and younger per day. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets will go on sale 90 minutes before the start of the first game each day.

The tournament will also available online or free through video streaming.