For the first time in program history, WKU Softball has reached the NCAA Tournament and will participate in the Tuscaloosa Regional of the 2013 NCAA Division One Softball Championships. You can follow the regular season Sun Belt Conference Champions as they travel to Tuscaloosa for the tournament by following the WKU Softball NCAA Tournament Blog. WKU Athletics Media Relations staffers Whitney Tarpy and Robert Sampson are traveling with the team and will have complete coverage, including a rare behind-the-scenes look, at WKU's first ever trip to the NCAA Regional.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Final update: Photos from today's championship game appearance are posted here. While photos from the pregame prep are here.
11:20 a.m.: WKU has arrived at the stadium and is taking batting practice in the cages along the third base line. First pitch set for 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
11:20 p.m.: Last update of the night; Take a look as WKU closes out the game against USC Upstate and advances to the NCAA Regional Championship vs. Alabama.
10:42 p.m.: Video from tonight's postgame press conference is now available:
9:20 p.m.: Photo gallery from tonight's win over USC Upstate is now available here.
9:12 p.m.: As noted by WKU AD Todd Stewart earlier on Twitter, WKU is heading to the regional championship as one of just 32 teams remaining in the nation.
5:42p.m.: About to start our second game of the day and game number five of the tournament.
Here are Coach Perry's comments from the 7-6 loss to Alabama:
2:16 p.m.: Lots of action and lots of photos from the first three innings in Tuscaloosa as Alabama leads 6-5. WKU led 5-2 entering the bottom of the third before nine batters were able to take the plate in the bottom of the third for the Tide.
Here is a pregame photo gallery from today.
Here is the first set of game action photos from today's game with Alabama.
11:55 a.m.: We are back at Rhoads Stadium for the third game of the Tuscaloosa Regional in the 2013 NCAA Softball Championships. WKU is set to take on Alabama at 1:00 p.m. The Lady Toppers are currently in the batting cages along the third base line getting set for the game.
Friday, May 17, 2013
10:20 p.m.: WKU will face defending national champion Alabama tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. CT in game 3 of the Tuscaloosa Regional. Alabama beat Jacksonville State 4-0 tonight after a rain delay of over two hours delayed play. Alabama pitcher Leslie Jury went seven innings and gave up eight hits while walking just one.
9:30 p.m.: Sophomore Preslie Cruce, a native of Empire, Alabama, was the offensive hero for WKU today as she hit two home runs. Thanks to two young fans in the outfield, the Lady Toppers will be going home with the two balls she was able to launch into the outfield. Following the game, Cruce took time for a quick photo with the two prized posessions.
9:22 p.m.: Here is the video of the final pitch and postgame as WKU beats USC Upstate earlier today.
9:18 p.m.: Here is a look at over 70 photos from today's game.
The team has returned to Rhoads Stadium to watch the Alabama/Jacksonville State game after having dinner at the team hotel.
7:25 p.m.: Take a look at Coach Perry and WKU players as they discuss the 3-0 win over USC Upstate.
3:00 p.m. : We are 30 minutes from first pitch in Tuscaloosa. Here is a pre-game photo gallery as the team arrived and began to warmup. Reminder that the game is being broadcast by Scott Thompson on 1450 AM in the Bowling Green area and via www.wkusports.com.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
5:40 p.m.: Check out the sights and sounds from today's practice at Alabama.
4:00 p.m. Update: Head Coach Tyra Perry, pitcher Emily Roussea and Ciera Garicia met with the media on Thursday afternoon to preview the NCAA Tournament in Tuscaloosa in front of a sizable media contingenet.
Here is a photo gallery of the media session, followed by video of the press conference.
3:00 p.m. Update: The team had their first chance to take the field in Tuscaloosa today, holding a 75 minute practice.
Here is a photo gallery with over 70 photos from today's practice.
Morning Update: Whitney Tarpy's preview of Friday's game is available on www.wkusports.com at this link.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Evening Update: The team has arrived in Tuscaloosa at the team hotel. The team will have dinner tonight before resting the rest of the evening. Big day of preparation tomorrow as the team will hold practice at Alabama and have their official NCAA media opportunity.
3:30 p.m. Update: As the softball team has traveled on roadtrips throughout the year, they establish themes for the bus rides and dress in theme. The team established a "WKU Spirit" theme for the bus ride to the NCAA Regionals with several of the team members attempting to dress as Big Red at the sendoff event on Wednesday afternoon. Here is a look at the players doing their best Big Red impression and highlights from the sendoff in Bowling Green.
1:00 p.m. Update: WKU Softball is on the road and heading to Tuscaloosa. The team was greeted on their way out of town by a large group of supporters, including the coaching staff from several of WKU's athletic teams.
Here is a complete photo gallery of the teams departure from Bowling Green.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
WKU Softball met with the media today to preview the NCAA Regional before practice at the WKU Softball Complex.
Here is a complete photo gallery of practice and sessions with members of the local media.
Coach Tyra Perry was among those that met with the media on Tuesday afternoon. Here is a look at what she had to say about the tournament and the excitement surrounding the WKU Softball program.
Ciara Garcia also took a few minutes to meet with the media, here is what she had to say.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
WKU has earned its first bid to the NCAA Tournament in school history. Here is a photo gallery of the selection show party the team held on Sunday evening.
Check out the team’s reaction when they learned they were heading to the NCAA Tournament.
Coach Tyra Perry talks about earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament with the media following the ESPNU Selection Show.
