INDIANAPOLIS – The Augustana softball team is NCAA Tournament-bound for the third consecutive season as the Vikings earned the No. 8 seed in the NCAA Central Region Tournament, announced Monday morning by the NCAA Selection Committee.

Fresh off claiming the NSIC Tournament Championship, Augustana will travel to Joplin, Missouri, for Central Region Pod No. 1, hosted by top-seeded Missouri Southern. The Vikings will be joined in the four-team pod by No. 4 seed Southern Arkansas and No. 5 seed St. Cloud State.

The Central Region's second pod will be hosted by No. 2 seed Pittsburg State and features Rogers State, Winona State and Central Oklahoma.

Regional competition will begin Thursday with two opening-round games, followed by two games Friday and two Saturday. An if-necessary game is slated for Sunday. The winners of each regional pod will advance to the NCAA Super Regional, where the Pod No. 1 and Pod No. 2 champions will meet for a berth in the NCAA Division II Softball Championships.

Stay tuned to GoAugie.com and the Augustana softball social media channels for additional tournament information, including game times and coverage details.