Wildcats holding on at No. 6

ACU still in hunt for first regional tournament bid

ABILENE -- Despite going 0-2 in last weekend's Lone Star Conference Post-Season Softball Tournament, ACU is still alive for a bid to the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament.

The Wildcats (30-20) are sixth in the latest regional poll, and with the top six teams earning invitations to the regional tournament, ACU is clinging to the final spot in the poll.  Lone Star Conference champion Central Oklahoma is No. 1 in the region, followed by St. Mary's at No. 2, defending national champion Angelo State at No. 3, Midwestern State at No. 4 and Regis (Colo.) at No. 5.

Southeastern Oklahoma State is No. 7, but the Lady Savages ran into some trouble with the NCAA last week when the LSC office discovered that SOSU had played more games than the NCAA allowable 56.  The Lady Savages were forced to cancel eight games on their schedule, and will have to schedule fewer than 56 games next season.

ACU, which is in its second year under head coach Chantiel Wilson, experienced a turnaround season in 2005, winning 30 games for just the third time in program history and posting a winning record for just the third time in the program's nine-year history and the first time since 1998.  ACU's 13 conference wins are the most in program history as ACU finished 13-7 in the LSC South Division and second to Angelo State.

The six teams who will make up the regional tournament will be informed of their selection to the tournament on Sunday, May 8, or Monday, May 9.