Bulldogs open NCAA Regional vs. #7 Oklahoma Fri. at 8:30 pm EST

Norman Regional | Live Stats | Video | NCAA Bracket | Game Notes

LEADING OFF
The Bryant University softball team heads to Norman, Okla., for it's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament over the weekend (May 16-18). The Bulldogs were one of four teams selected to the Norman Regional with #7 Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Hofstra rounding out the group. The Black and Gold will open play Friday night (8:30 p.m. EST) against the defending National Champion Sooners, with the victor advancing to play the winner of the Regional's first game between Texas A&M and Hofstra. 

THE SERIES
This weekend will mark the first time Bryant has played any of the other three teams at the Norman Regional.

SCOUTING THE SOONERS
Oklahoma enters Friday's contest with a 45-10 mark, 16-2 against Big 12 competition, as its looks to defend its 2013 National Championship. The Sooners closed the regular season on a 12-game winning streak en route to securing their third-straight Big 12 Regular Season Championship. Sophomore and First team All- Big 12 outfielder Kady Self leads her team with a .425 average to go along with four doubles, six homers and 21 RBI. Junior infielder Shelby Pendly, also an All-Big 12 first teamer ranks second on the team with a .410 average with a team-best 56 runs scored, 17 doubles, 13 homeruns and 63 RBI. In all, the Sooners landed five on First Team All-Big 12 list and head coach Patty Gasso was named Big 12 Coach of the Year for the seventh time in her career.

LAST TIME OUT: BULLDOGS WIN FIRST NORTHEAST CONFERENCE TITLE
Last time out, the Bulldogs rode the arm of sophomore hurler Elle Madsen all the way to their first-ever Northeast Conference Championship. Madsen went 3-0 in the circle, allowing just eight earned runs over the weekend while amassing a .500 average at the plate with a homerun, five RBI and two runs scored.

As the #1 seed and host, Bryant opened the league tourney with a 7-4 victory over #4 seeded LIU Brooklyn. Senior shortstop Aubrey Mable went 2-4 with a RBI and a run scored, while classmate Kristen Carter went 2-3. In Game 2, the Bulldogs faced off with Central Connecticut in an extra innings thriller that resulted in a ninth inning walkoff 3-2 win for the Black and Gold. Junior Maddi Velasquez went 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Madsen allowed only one earned run in nine innings of work. In the Tournament Championship, Madsen dazzled again, allowing three runs in seven innings while picking up two hits, including a three run homer, to secure the win for the Bulldogs.

Weekend Schedule (All Times are Central)