N-C-A-A Tournament action begins Thursday for the Iowa softball team and the Simpson College baseball team. The Hawkeyes open regional play in Lincoln, Nebraska with a first round matchup against Mississippi State. Iowa coach Gayle Blevins says keeping Bulldog outfielder Lyhia McMichael off the base paths will be a big key.Blevins says there are similarities between her team and a Mississippi State team coached by Jay Williams. She says their record is similar, they like to run, and she says her offense needs to do a good job of putting the pressure on them. Simpson opens division-three regional baseball action tomorrow afternoon at Illinois Wesleyan. The Storm play McMurry of Texas in the opening round and coach John Sirianni says at this point every game will be competitive, as he says if you get to the tournament, you’re pretty good. Simpson has not played any of the teams in the regional.