For the first time in program history, the Linfield Wildcats have been selected to host an NCAA Division III regional playoff tournament. The three-team tournament runs Friday through Sunday at Linfield's Del Smith Stadium.
The Wildcats advanced to the NCAA postseason for the 14th time in the last 15 seasons though Linfield has never previously hosted a regional playoff tournament. This year, Linfield will host Northwest Conference co-champion George Fox and Southern California Intercollegiate Conference tournament champion Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in a three-team regional playoff.
The NCAA announced the full 62-team tournament field Monday morning. Linfield is one of 16 regional playoff sites throughout the country.
Top-seeded Linfield begins tournament play Friday at 5:30 p.m. against No. 3-seed Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (31-12). CMS faces second-seeded George Fox (35-9) in Friday's opening game at 3 p.m.
Linfield earned an automatic berth to the NCAA playoffs by winning the Northwest Conference tournament two weeks ago. George Fox qualified for the NCAA playoffs for the second time in three years. The Bruins were invited as an at-large representative.
Linfield (35-8) shared the Northwest Conference regular-season championship with George Fox. The Wildcats then went 3-0 at the NWC Tournament April 21-22 in Newberg to clinch the conference's automatic playoff berth.
In the fourth year of the NCAA's reconfigured double-elimination playoff format, there are 14 four-team regional sites and two three-team regional sites.
The 16 surviving regional champions advance to compete in eight two-team, best-of-three super regional tournaments.
The eight super regional champions move on to the NCAA World Series, May 24-29, at Oklahoma City, Okla. A double-elimination format will also be used there with the last two teams left standing facing off in a best-of-three series to determine the national champion.
The full McMinnville, Oregon Regional schedule:
FRIDAY, MAY 11
Game 1: George Fox vs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 3 p.m.
Game 2: Linfield vs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 12
Game 3: Linfield vs. George Fox, 4 p.m.
Game 4: See scenarios below, 6:30 p.m.
Scenario 1 (If two teams remain after Game 3)
Game 4: Two remaining teams play at 6:30 p.m. If the undefeated team wins, that team wins the regional tournament and advances to the super regional tournament;
If the 1-1 team wins, then Game 5 is played on Sunday and the winner advances to the super regional tournament.
Scenario 2 (If three teams remain tied at 1-1 after Game 3)
Game 4: No. 2 vs. No. 3, 6:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, MAY 13
Game 5: No. 1 vs. winner of Game 4, 3 p.m., if necessary (winner of Game 5 advances to the super regional tournament)
TICKETS
As this is a NCAA-sponsored event, admission will be charged at all games. Ticket prices are as follows:
Adults $10 per game or $25 for weekend pass
Students with ID $6 per game or $15 for weekend pass
Seniors and Veterans $7 per game
Kids 12 and Under $5 per game
