The James I. Moyer Complex in Salem will be the site of the NCAA Division III softball tournament this week. The eight team tournament begins with four games on Thursday scheduled for 11 am, 1:30 pm, 4 pm and 6:30 pm.
This year’s field includes Old Dominion Athletic Conference champion Virginia Wesleyan, who comes to Salem undefeated after winning their Super Region tournament. The Marlins are 50-0 as they return to Salem for the national tournament.
Virginia Wesleyan will be gunning for a fourth national championship after posting a 15-0 win in five innings over Case Western Reserve University to sweep their super regional matchup in Virginia Beach last weekend and advance to the Division III Softball Championship. The Marlins return to the site of their last national title in 2021.
The James I. Moyer Sports Complex is no stranger to hosting ODAC teams given that the facility has served the conference as championship host dating back to 1996. The Moyer Complex underwent a more than $20 million renovation after hosting the 2022 Division III event. Salem and the ODAC as co-host are ready to crown the Division III champion for a 15th time.
Play in Salem begins on Thursday, May 28, and continues through Wednesday, June 3. Two four-team pods will make up group play before getting to the final best-of-3 series for the walnut & bronze prize. Virginia Wesleyan is in a pod with Rowan, Linfield and Redlands. The Marlins will open on Thursday at 11 am against Rowan.
The other pod includes Trine, Belhaven, Simpson and Mount Union. They’ll play the evening games on Thursday to open the tournament.
The schedule for the competing teams begins on Wednesday with practice at the Moyer Complex and the championship banquet. All eight teams will play once each on Thursday and Friday with the latter day featuring elimination and winner’s bracket games. Elimination games are solely on the menu for Saturday with Sunday determining the two squads that will play for the NCAA trophy.
Following a day of rest on Monday, game one of the final best-of-3 championship series will be played on Tuesday. Wednesday will feature at least one outing with a chance for two if the “if necessary” contest is needed.
