By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University softball team retained its #8 ranking in the West Region of NCAA Division III this week as determined by the Regional Advisory Committee of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and released on Thursday, April 26. The Bearcats are 21-15 on the season, including 19-9 in the Northwest Conference.

Willamette finished the regular season in third place in the Northwest Conference and advanced to the four-team NWC Tournament. The Bearcats lost to eventual tournament champion Pacific Lutheran University, 3-1, in the first round. WU defeated George Fox University, 5-1, in the second round and lost to defending nation champion Linfield College in the loser's bracket final, 4-2.

PLU defeated Linfield 3-0, in the tournament title game to earn the NWC's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Linfield and Willamette will have to wait to find out if they receive at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament. Selections and pairings for the 61 teams competing in the tournament will be announced on Monday, May 7.