CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
 
Championship Dates: Thursday, May 24-Monday, May 27
Location: Regency Athletic Complex | Denver, Colo.| Campus Map
Travel Information: Directions | Campus Map | Area Information | Parking Validation Codes
Game Links:  Watch Live | Live Stats
Tickets: Single Game | Tournament Passes
Twitter: @LIUPostPioneers | @LIUPSB
LIU Post Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats 

THE FIRST LOOK
 
LIU Post avenged its 2018 Super Regional fate when it took down No. 1 seed Saint Anselm College in three games during the East Super Regional this past weekend. The Pioneers opened the three-game slate with a 5-1 victory on Friday but needed to rally on Saturday to earn their fifth regional title.
 
After dropping the opening game by a 9-6 final, the Green and Gold overcame a 1-0 deficit when senior Ashley Melendez delivered a two-out RBI-single to tie the game and senior Julia Seader belted a leadoff home run during the top of the eighth inning to give LIU Post the lead. Junior Katie Humhej and the Pioneer defense took care of the rest during the bottom of the eighth to lead LIU Post to the National Championship for the first time since the 2014 season.
 
LIU Post later earned the No. 1 overall seed for the 2019 National Championship.
 
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
 
All eight regional winners earned a berth into the National Championship. The following eight teams will comprise the 2019 Championship:
 
Atlantic Region: West Chester University Golden Rams
Central Region: Augustana University Vikings
East Region: LIU Post Pioneers
Midwest Region: Grand Valley State University Lakers
South Region: University of West Florida Argonauts
Southeast Region: Young Harris College Mountain Lions
South Central Region: Texas A&M – Kingsville Javelinas
West Region: University of California -  San Diego Tritons
 
LIU POST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

The Pioneers will look to make history this week during their fifth National Championship appearance. Despite four previous trips, the Green and Gold are 0-8 all-time in the tournament and will look to earn its first victory on Thursday.  
 
Series History vs. National Championship Teams
(All-Time Record, Last Meeting)
 
West Chester: Tied, 1-1 (May 24, 2014 – West Chester 6, LIU Post 2)
Augustana: Augustana leads, 2-1 (March 10, 2018 – Augustana 6, LIU Post 1)
Grand Valley State: Grand Valley State leads 1-0 (March 7, 2019 – GVSU 3, LIU Post 1)
West Florida: No prior meetings
Young Harris: No prior meetings
Texas A&M – Kingsville: No prior meetings
UC San Diego: UC San Diego leads 1-0 (May 26, 2011 – UC San Diego 7, LIU Post 0)
 
LAST TIME OUT
 
The Pioneers battled back to defeat Saint Anselm by a 2-1 margin in extra innings of the winner-take-all game of the East Super Regional. The Pioneers dropped the opening game of the day by a 9-6 margin before coming from behind for the third time in the NCAA Tournament to earn the victory and the berth into the National Championship.
 
It was a true test of fate on Friday for the Pioneers as LIU Post clinched its first berth to the World Series on the fifth anniversary of its last appearance (2014), while also setting a new program mark with 51 wins this season, surpassing the previous mark set by the same 2014 squad.
  
Senior Julia Seader was once again the hero for LIU Post, finishing 5-for-7 with two singles, one double, one triple, and one key home run during the two games. Seader drove in four runs on the day while reaching base safely in six of eight plate appearances. Junior Allie Laird finished 3-for-6 at the plate with two runs scored, while Melendez added a pair of hits including a home run.
 
Junior Katie Humhej was masterful in game two, striking out five batters and allowing just one run during the eight-inning complete game.
 
SCOUTING THE PIONEERS

LIU Post has proved that they cannot be counted out of a game, no matter how big the deficit this postseason. The Pioneers have come from behind in three of its five NCAA Tournament victories and trailed by as many as seven runs in game two against Saint Anselm before rallying with four runs in the sixth inning and loading the bases in the seventh.
 
Despite hitting .290 on the year, Melendez carries the hottest bat in the lineup into the National Championship. During the NCAA Tournament, Melendez ranks second on the team with a .471 average (8-17) and leads the team with nine runs batted in. Seader has also posted off the chart numbers this postseason, hitting .625 (10-16) with a .739 on-base percentage. Her on-base percentage ranks second, while her average, home runs (3), and hits (10) rank third in the NCAA Tournament.
 
The LIU Post infield has also stepped up its play since entering the NCAA Tournament, compiling a .987 fielding percentage, committing just two errors on 150 chances in the field. The middle infield led by sophomore Patricia Dun and senior Leah Mele have been perfect, successfully recording an out on 44 chances.
 
In the circle the duo of Humhej and senior Hannah Olshevski boast a 1.95 earned run average, led by a 1.15 mark by Humhej in three starts. Humhej is 2-0 in the tournament, posting 18.1 innings with just three runs allowed and 11 strikeouts. She has also allowed just one extra-base hit, a double during game three with Saint Anselm. Olshevski took the decision in four of the six games this postseason, compiling a 3-1 record with a 2.78 ERA.

FANS IN ATTENDANCE

Admission will be charged for all fans in attendance for the NCAA Division II Softball National Championship. Single-game passes and full tournament passes are available for purchase in advance and at the event. Single game passes are available at $10 for adults and $6 for senior citizens, students, and youth. Tournament passes are available at $35 for adults, and $20 for senior citizens, students, and youth.
 
Parking is available at MSU Denver in the Birch, Beech, and Fir Parking Lots, along with the Tivoli Parking Garage (see parking map here). Parking is FREE but fans must use the daily activation code to validate their parking. Each code will be available for one day only and fans must check the schedule here for an updated code each day. The validation code and license plate number must be entered at the corresponding kiosk to receive free parking.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
 
Fans that cannot make it to Denver can follow all the action with live stats and video available at www.liupostpioneers.com. Live coverage links will become available as soon as they are finalized by the NCAA.