Humboldt State named host for 2008 CCAA Softball Championships

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (April 21) – Humboldt State, which clinched a conference playoff berth last weekend, has been named the host institution for the 2008 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Softball Championships, commissioner Robert J. Hiegert announced on Monday.

The championships are scheduled for May 1-3 and the double-elimination tournament will be contested at HSU Softball Field. The tournament format calls for two games to be played on Thursday, May 1, three games slated for Friday, May 2, and the championship game set for Saturday, May 3. A second game will be played on Saturday, if necessary.

The conference champion gains the CCAA’s automatic berth to the 64-team NCAA Division II Championships. Regional play gets underway Thursday, May 8, at selected campus sites. The eight regional winners advance to the National Championship Tournament in Houston, Texas, beginning May 14.

This season marks the second year that the CCAA has sponsored a championship. Humboldt State is the defending champion after defeating Cal State Stanislaus, 6-5, in last year’s title game at HSU Softball Field.

Humboldt State is currently atop the CCAA standings with a 21-7 record. Cal State Stanislaus (18-10) is in second place, while Cal State San Bernardino (15-11) is third and Cal State Monterey Bay (18-14) is fourth.

The top four teams, based on winning percentage, advance to the CCAA Championships. Humboldt State and Cal State Monterey Bay have locked up berths. The Otters have concluded their conference schedule.

With one week remaining in the season, Cal State Stanislaus, Cal State Dominguez Hills (13-15), Cal State San Bernardino and UC San Diego (14-14) are vying for the last two playoffs spots. The final weekend will match Cal State San Bernardino at Cal State Stanislaus, Cal State Dominguez Hills at Sonoma State and UC San Diego at San Francisco State.