KU Headed to Utah For NCAA Regionals

May 14, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Just one day after winning its first-ever Big 12 Championship and earning an automatic bid to the postseason, Kansas softball learned Sunday that it will travel to Provo, Utah and open NCAA Regional play Thursday at BYU (42-20). Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m. CST at Miller Park.

The Jayhawks (34-24) are one of six teams from the Big 12 Conference to receive bids in 2006.

Also in the bracket are Southern Utah (34-20), winners of the Mid-Continent Conference, and 14th-seeded Washington (32-23) of the Pacific 10. The Jayhawks are guaranteed at least two games in the double-elimination tournament to be held Thursday-Saturday at Miller Park.

The Cougars and Jayhawks met earlier in the season on Feb. 18 at the Louisville Slugger Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. Despite a 2-1 loss to BYU, Kansas leads the all-time series, 3-2. BYU received an at-large bid after falling to San Diego State, 11-7, in the Mountain West Conference championship Saturday.

The Jayhawks (34-24), winners of seven straight games, entered the Big 12 Championship the No. 6 seed and went 4-0 to bring home the title. KU joins Big 12 foes Texas, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Baylor and Oklahoma in this year’s 64-team field. The Longhorns are the only Big 12 team hosting a 2006 regional.

Click here for a complete NCAA Regional bracket. Additional ticket information can be found at byucougars.com.

Provo Regional – May 18-20 at Provo, Utah
Kansas (34-24) vs. *Brigham Young (42-20) — 5 p.m. CST
Southern Utah (34-30) vs. No. 14 Washington (32-23) — 8 p.m. CST

Prior to the selection announcement, the Jayhawks held their annual postseason banquet. Serena Settlemier, the 2006 Big 12 Player of the Year, was named Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player. Kassie Humphreys earned the Defensive MVP title, Tiffany Craner was named Most Improved Player and Sara Sidebottom was given the Jayhawk Pride Award.

-KU-