The three-time MAAC Softball Champion Iona College will meet top-seeded California in the opening game of the 2012 NCAA Division I Softball Championship on Friday, May 18 at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PT.
Iona and California will be joined by Boston University and Arkansas in the Berkley Regional. The Terriers and Razorbacks face off in the other first-round matchup.
Iona earned the MAAC automatic bid after defeating second-seeded Fairfield in the championship game 2-0. Led by seniors Alyssa Maiese and Sarah Jackson, the duo in the circle posted a 1.25 and 1.26 earned run average, respectively. Maiese was named the Most Outstanding Player in the MAAC Tournament and MAAC Co-Player of the Year, while Jackson took home conference Pitcher of the Year and All-MAAC First Team and All-Tournament Team honors.
The Golden Bears (50-4) secured their 27th consecutive postseason bid after taking home the Pac-12 title. Cal finished the regular season as the unanimous No. 1 team in both the national rankings and has the highest RPI in the country.
The winner of the Berkeley Regional will play the champion of the Seattle Regional, which features No. 16 seed Washington, Harvard, Maryland and Texas Tech.
All Iona games will be streamed live on ICGaels.com, with the broadcasts beginning approximately 15 minutes prior to the opening pitch.
Berkley Regional Schedule
Friday, May 18
5 p.m. - Game One: Boston University vs. Arkansas
7 p.m. - Game Two: California vs. Iona
Saturday, May 19
3 p.m. - Game Three: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
5 p.m. - Game Four: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
7 p.m. - Game Five: Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Sunday, May 20
5 p.m. - Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5
7 p.m. - Game 7: Rematch of Game 6 (If necessary)
Berkeley Regional Ticket Information
All-Session Chairback: $55
All-Session Adult Bleacher: $40
All-Session Senior/Youth(12 Grade and Under)/Student Bleacher: $25
All-session passes will go on sale on Monday, May 14th at 9 a.m. PT. Fans are strongly encouraged to purchase all-session passes as soon as they go on sale because if the all-session passes sellout, day-of, individual game passes will not be available.