Mississippi Valley State, which was picked in the preseason poll to finish second in its division, won its third consecutive SWAC Eastern Division crown by posting a 15-2 league mark to finish one game ahead of runner-up Jackson State (JSU). JSU (21-19, 14-3 SWAC), winners of nine-straight decisions, earned the No. 2 seed in the east.
The Devilettes will match up against No. 4 Grambling State (11-24, 4-13 SWAC) at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 5.
Texas Southern won the SWAC Western Division title with a 14-3 league record. The Lady Tigers will face defending SWAC Champion Alcorn State at 2:00 pm. on May 5. The Lady Braves (15-30, 6-11 SWAC) finished the regular season in fourth place in the Eastern Division, but posted impressive non-conference wins over Ole Miss and nationally ranked Texas Tech.
Bracket play pits No. 2 Southern (18-21, 12-5 SWAC) against No. 3 Alabama State (10-31, 6-11 SWAC). The Lady Jaguars are riding a nine-game win steak and last won the SWAC Championship in 2003. Jackson State and No. 3 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (6-25, 6-11 SWAC) will battle at 11:30 a.m. on May 5.
First pitch for Sunday’s championship game is 1:00 p.m. The matchup will air on ESPNU on Sunday, May 8 at 9:00 p.m. CST.