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Sunday, May 11, 2003
FIU makes history with NCAA
Regional berth
 he
Florida International softball team made history today as the
Golden Panthers received an at-large bid to compete in the 2003
NCAA Nebraska Regional, May 15-19, in Lincoln, Neb. It will be
the first-ever postseason appearance in the six-year history
of the program.
"This puts FIU softball on the map as a national power
and shows the respect that we have gained across the country,"
said coach Kim Gwydir, who has headed the program since its inception
in 1998. "The girls really deserve this honor. It's a fantastic
way to extend a great season."
The Golden Panthers (37-25) are the fifth seed in the Nebraska
regional and will face fourth-seeded Mississippi State (33-28)
in the first round on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. CST. FIU is 0-1
all-time against the Bulldogs with MSU taking a 3-2 decision
in 2002 at the USF Speedline Invitational in Tampa, Fla.
Other teams competing in Lincoln include (in order of seeding)
Washington (40-14), Nebraska (36-15), Iowa (40-13), Pacific (34-22),
Hofstra (37-15) and Creighton (25-22). FIU will face either Washington
or Creighton in the second round of the double-elimination tournament.
Eight teams will compete in eight regionals, with the champions
advancing to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City,
May 22-26.
The Golden Panthers are one of two Sun Belt Conference teams
competing in the tournament, with Louisiana-Lafayette being selected
to play in the Fullerton, Calif., regional.
"The girls should be proud of what they've accomplished
this year," added Gwydir. "We're confident that we
can compete at this level, and this is our chance to prove it." |