4/28/08

Softball to host NAC quarterfinal

FARMINGTON -- The University of Maine at Farmington softball team earned the fourth seed in the North Atlantic Conference tournament and is scheduled to host fifth-seeded Elms College in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

The Beavers (21-7, 15-5) defeated the Blazers (19-14, 12-8) 4-3 and 6-4 in Farmington's season-opening doubleheader in Chicopee, Mass., on April 6. The quarterfinal was originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday, but was changed to Wednesday due to forecasted inclement weather.

Husson College, Lesley University and Thomas College each finished NAC play with a record of 17-3. Since the head-to-head regular season between all tied teams did not break the deadlock as Husson swept Lesley, Lesley swept Thomas and Thomas swept Husson, the results against NAC opponents starting with the highest rank (Farmington) was used as a tiebreaker. Husson took both games against the Beavers, while Thomas and Lesley both split against Farmington, so the Eagles were awarded the top seed. Lesley is second and Thomas third after using head-to-head between the two teams.

The other quarterfinals are:
No. 8 Maine Maritime Academy (8-17, 5-15) at No. 1 Husson (28-10, 17-3)
No. 7 Bay Path (19-15, 9-11) at No. 2 Lesley (25-9, 17-3)
No. 6 Castleton (12-22, 10-10) at No. 3 Thomas (20-11, 17-3)

Following quarterfinal play, the highest remaining seed will host the tournament with contests beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday. Game times are subject to change. The NAC champion receives an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Championships.

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