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The Florida International softball
team made history today as the Golden Panthers received an at-large
bid to compete in the
2003
NCAA Nebraska Regional, May 15-19, in Lincoln, Neb. It will be
the first-ever postseason appearance in the six-year history of
the program.
"This puts FIU softball on the
map as a national power and shows the respect that we have gained
across the country," said
coach Kim Gwydir, who has headed the program since its inception
in 1998. "The girls really deserve this honor. It's a fantastic
way to extend a great season."
The Golden Panthers (37-25) are the
fifth seed in the Nebraska regional and will face fourth-seeded
Mississippi State (33-28)
in the first round on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. CST. FIU is 0-1
all-time against the Bulldogs with MSU taking a 3-2 decision
in 2002 at
the USF Speedline Invitational in Tampa, Fla.
Other teams competing in Lincoln
include (in order of seeding) Washington (40-14), Nebraska (36-15),
Iowa (40-13), Pacific (34-22),
Hofstra (37-15) and Creighton (25-22). FIU will face either Washington
or Creighton in the second round of the double-elimination tournament.
Eight teams will compete in eight
regionals, with the champions advancing to the Women's College
World Series in Oklahoma City,
May 22-26.
The Golden Panthers are one of two
Sun Belt Conference teams competing in the tournament, with Louisiana-Lafayette
being selected
to play
in the Fullerton, Calif., regional.
"The girls should be proud of
what they've accomplished this year," added
Gwydir. "We're confident that we can compete at this level,
and this is our chance to prove it."
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