Luther and Simpson open an NCAA Division III softball regional in Decorah on Friday.
Luther (36-2) is the top seed after winning the Iowa Conference regular season and tournament titles. Known for outstanding pitching, a balanced lineup carried the Norse in the conference tournament as they scored 25 runs in two wins.
“One through nine is going to get it done”, said Luther coach Renae Hartl. “One through nine has the high average so it is a little bit different in a sense of everybody is getting it done and it is different people every single day.”
The Norse will play fourth seeded Wisconsin-Superior in the opening round. Third seeded Simpson plays second seeded St. Catherine of Minnesota in the other first round game.
“When you make it to this level you have got a really good team and I think there will be some wonderful softball this weekend.”
NCAA Division III Regional schedule:
Friday, May 13
Game 1 – 1:00 p.m. No. 3 Simpson vs. No. 2 St. Catherine
Game 2 – 3:30 p.m. No. 4 UW-Superior vs. No. 1 Luther
Saturday, May 14
Game 3 – 11:00 a.m. Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
Game 4 – 1:30 p.m. Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser
Game 5 – 4:00 p.m. Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 winner
Sunday, May 15
Game 6 – Noon Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner
Game 7 – 2:30 p.m. *If necessary – Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser
Darin Svenson at KDEC contributed to this story