BIRMINGHAM, AL – With the softball regular season officially coming to a
close, the stage is set for the 2009 SWAC Softball Championship this week. The top four teams from both the Eastern and Western divisions will be heading to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to compete in the tournament scheduled for April 23 – 26.
Out of the West, Southern (11-5 SWAC) clinched its sixth straight Western Division title over the weekend as it swept Texas Southern in a three-game series. The Jaguars will enter the softball tournament as the #1 seed for the eighth time in program history.
With an 11-6 conference record, Grambling State claimed the #2 seed in the West. The Lady Tigers went 2-1 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff while sweeping Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern in three games to secure their #2 spot.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (6-10 SWAC) recorded two wins over Prairie View A&M this past weekend to clinch its #3 spot in the West. Texas Southern punched the last ticket in the West with a 5-12 record. The Lady Tigers swept Prairie A&M last month in three games, giving them the advantage over the Lady Panthers, who also finished at 5-12.
With an undefeated 17-0 SWAC record, Mississippi Valley State commanded the #1 seed out of the East. The Devilettes swept Jackson State in a three-game series last week to secure their top spot and guarantee another run for a sixth consecutive SWAC title.
Jackson State went 11-6 in the East and enters the tournament as the #2 seed. Despite dropping three games to Mississippi Valley State last week, the Lady Tigers only saw one other divisional loss against Alcorn State this season.
The #3 and #4 seeds in the East go to Alcorn State and Alabama State,
respectively. Both the teams enter the tournament with identical 8-9
conference records. However, the Lady Braves bested the Lady Hornets 2-1 in a three game series, giving them the higher slot.
First round games are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Thursday,
April 23rd. All games will be played at the Timberton Softball Complex.
