St. Cloud State softball earns NCAA Division II tournament bid

TL;DR

St. Cloud State softball team qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time since 2019 as the No. 5 seed in the Central Region. They lost their opening game 9-2 against Southern Arkansas and will face Augustana next.

Key points

St. Cloud State softball qualified for NCAA Division II tournament
First tournament appearance since 2019
Team is the No. 5 seed in the Central Region
Lost opening game 9-2 to Southern Arkansas
Next game against Augustana on May 15

Mentioned in this story

Joplin, Missouri

St. Cloud State HuskiesNCAA Division II tournamentSouthern ArkansasAugustana

St. Cloud State softball earns NCAA Division II tournament bid

The St. Cloud State softball team qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time since 2019, opening play on Thurdsay.

The Huskies earned an at-large bid and are the No. 5 seed in the Central Region. They faced the No. 4 seed Southern Arkansas at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Joplin, Missouri, falling 9-2.

Next, St. Cloud meets No. 8 seed Augustana at 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 15.

St. Cloud State finished the regular season with a 46-13 record and a 26-4 mark in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.

Historic season for Huskies

This season marks St. Cloud State's 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies previously qualified in 1989, 1991, 1992, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2019. Under fifth-year head coach Mitch Roberts, the team has achieved over 30 wins each season, including back-to-back 40-win seasons.

The Huskies recently completed a notable regular season and NSIC Tournament run. They reached 40 wins for the ninth time in the program's 57-year history and secured their first share of the NSIC Regular Season Championship. St. Cloud State also received its first national ranking since 2004 and set records for all-conference and all-defensive team selections.

Tournament format and details

The NCAA Division II tournament features 64 teams, with four teams at each of 16 regional sites competing in a double-elimination format. The 16 regional winners will advance to a best-of-three super regional at eight sites, leading to the finals in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from May 28 to June 3.

St. Cloud State earned its at-large bid after a successful season in the NSIC, finishing with a 26-4 conference record. The Huskies advanced to the tournament semifinal, tying their program record for wins in a season with 46.

Key players and recognition

Three players were named to the NSIC All-Tournament Team: junior outfielder Bree Beck, senior pitcher Macey Clark, and redshirt sophomore utility Kaylee Collins. Clark, who was named NSIC Pitcher of the Year, led the team with standout performances throughout the season. The team also set program records with seven all-conference honorees and three all-defensive team selections.

St. Cloud State's path to the tournament included a series of notable achievements, including a 13-game win streak and breaking the single-season record for doubles with 97. The Huskies also ended the regular season on an 11-game win streak and swept 11 of their 15 NSIC series.

Q&A

When did St. Cloud State softball last qualify for the NCAA Division II tournament?

St. Cloud State softball last qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament in 2019.

What seed is St. Cloud State in the NCAA Division II Central Region?

St. Cloud State is the No. 5 seed in the NCAA Division II Central Region.

Who did St. Cloud State softball play in their first game of the tournament?

St. Cloud State softball played against No. 4 seed Southern Arkansas in their first game.

What is the schedule for St. Cloud State's next game in the tournament?

St. Cloud State's next game is against No. 8 seed Augustana on Friday, May 15, at 5:30 p.m.