GLENSIDE – For the first time in program history, the Arcadia University softball team is set to host a Regional in the 2022 NCAA Division III Softball Championship this weekend at Blankley Field. The Knights will face off with Lesley University on Friday at 4:30 p.m. following the first game featuring Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Johnson and Wales-Providence at 2:00 p.m.
 
The winners of each first round game will face off Saturday at noon while the losers will return to action at 2:30 p.m. The loser of the first Saturday game will play the winner of the second game at 4:30 p.m. for a chance to advance to Sunday's championship games.
 
Tickets are required for entry and are available at the following rates with prices set by the NCAA:
 
Single-Session Tickets (good for all games played that day)
Adult                                               $10
Senior Citizen/Veteran                   $7
Student & Children under 12         $7
Child under 2 years                        Free
 
All-Session Tickets (good for all games)
Adult                                               $25
Senior Citizen/Veteran                   $15
Student & Children under 12          $15
Child under 2 years                        Free
 
Tickets must be purchased on site at one of two entrances to the facility. Cash or credit card will be accepted.


   
Arcadia is making its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament in the last four seasons after finishing the regular season 29-8 and going 1-1 in the MAC Freedom Tournament. The Knights had four winning streaks of at least three games, including two nine-game win streaks during the regular season.
 
Arcadia is led by the MAC Freedom Player of the Year and First Team All-MAC Freedom recipient in Megan Sooy, as well as All-MAC Freedom honorees Julian Presto (First Team), Madi Costigan (First Team) Nathalia Diianni (Second Team), Effie Jamanis (Second Team), and Morgan Tripodi (Second Team). Eighth-year head coach Sarah Colletti (Lock Haven '09) looks to take the team beyond the regionals for the first time after the Knights were hurt by poor weather in their regional back in 2019.  
WPI is making its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2019 after defeating MIT on a walk-off hit to capture the NEWMAC Championship. The Engineers began the NEWMAC Tournament with wins over MIT and Babson before falling to MIT in the first game of the championship round, ultimately winning the "if necessary" game.
 
WPI is led by Shaina Lazarus, who batted .369 with 10 double and two home runs. The Engineers are led in the circle by Katie Martin, who finished the season with a 20-5 record over 165.2 innings with 128 strikeouts and a 1.56 era. First-year head coach Heather Ross looks to lead the team beyond the regionals after it went 1-2 in 2019.
   
Johnson & Wales enters the NCAA Regionals after defeating Emmanuel 6-2 in the GNAC Championship. The Wildcats went undefeated in the tournament, earning wins over St. Joseph (CT) and Albertus Magnus before taking two from Emmanuel.
 
JWU is led by Mackenzie Clee, who was named the GNAC Rookie of the Year and First Team All-GNAC. Clee ws joined on the First Team by Jill Pulek and Caroline Amorelli, while Maeghan Gurska, Hailey Erickson, Kaelani Gamble, and Julia Huzi were named Second Team and Megan Antaya earned Third Team honors. First-year head coach Jon Landino will look to improve on the teams last trip to the NCAA Regionals in 2018, where the team defeated TCNJ in its first game before falling to Salisbury and Moravian.
   
Lesley enters the NCAA Regionals after going 3-0 in the NECC Tournament, capturing the title with back-to-back wins over Eastern Nazarene to secure the championship. The Lynx are currently riding and eight-game win streak going back to April 27^th.
 
Lesley is led by Jordan Day, who batted .569 with 62 hits, 17 doubles, and 10 home runs with 54 rbi's and 35 runs scored. Day also leads the Lynx in the circle, finishing the season with a 14-6 record across 122 innings with 129 strikeouts and a 3.50 era. Head coach Kelsey Simth will look to lead the team past the regional round.