SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana softball team earned a No. 4 Central Region Ranking in the initial poll announced Wednesday.
 
The Vikings own an overall NCAA Division II record of 32-7 while an in-region record of 25-6 placed them in the fourth spot.
 
The 42-team NCAA Central Region is made up of teams from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and the Great American Conference (GAC). Automatic bids are awarded to the tournament champions from each conference with the final five spots awarded on an at-large basis. 

The NCAA Championship provides for a field of 64 teams. Four teams will participate at each of 16 regional sites in a double elimination tournament May 12-14. The 16 teams advancing from regional competition will participate in a two-team, best-of-three super regional at eight sites on May 19-20.  The finals will include the eight super regional winners. The national champion will be determined in a best-of-three final series. 

The NCAA softball selections will be announced on www.NCAA.com on Monday, May 9 at 9 a.m. (CT).  The NCAA Championships are set for May 26-30 at The Assembly Athletic Complex hosted by Metro State University of Denver.
 
CENTRAL REGION  

RK	Team (Conf)	DII Rec	In-Reg
1.	Central Oklahoma (MIAA)	38-6	38-6
2.	Rogers State (MIAA)	36-6	36-6
3.	Minnesota State (NSIC)	32-10	26-9
4.	Augustana (NSIC)	32-7	25-6
5.	Arkansas Tech (GAC)	31-14	30-14
6.	Southern Arkansas (GAC)	29-13	29-12
7.	Washburn (MIAA)	36-11	32-8
8.	Harding (GAC)	32-14	32-14
9.	Winona State (NSIC)	23-11	19-11
10.	Minnesota Duluth (NSIC)	27-12	22-7