Grantham, PA - This week the Messiah College softball team competes in the Softball Championships in Salem, Va. The Falcons earned their spot this past weekend by defeating the Haverford Fords in a best-of-three Super Regional, two games to one. The Falcons arrive at the Softball Championships for the fifth time in program history and first time since 2011. In 2009 Messiah College won the National Championship.

All games this weekend will by played at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex located at 1000 Union St., Salem, Va. 24153. This is the 12th overall and second-straight Softball Championships to be played at the Moyer Sport Complex.

The eight teams at the Softball Championships are separated into two, four-team pods. These four-team pods are played in a double-elimination format to get two remaining teams that will square off in a best-of-three games Championship Series beginning on Monday, May 30.

The Falcons will first play against the No. 15 Rowan University Profs on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. The winner of that game will take on the winner of the No. 18 Illinois Wesleyan and Massachusetts Institute of Technology at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. The losers of those two games will play in an elimination game at 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

On the other side of the bracket, No. 3 Texas-Tyler will take on St. John Fisher and No. 9 Emory will take on No. 12 St. Thomas (MN) in First Round games on Thursday.

See below for a preview of each of the eight teams competing for a National Title in Salem this weekend:
 

No. 11 Messiah College Falcons
Location: Grantham, Pa. Coach: Amy Weaver (19th season, 541-257-1) 2016 Record: 44-4, 16-0 MAC Commonwealth NCAA Tournament Appearance: 10th (31-19, .620 winning percentage) Last NCAA Tournament Result: 2014, Regionals at Rochester - Went 1-2 with losses to both Alfred (4-1) and Rochester (4-3). 100 Words on the Falcons: The Falcons arrive at their fifth-ever Softball Championships but first since 2011. Messiah took home the 2009 title for their only National Title in program history. The 2016 season has been a historic one for the Falcons. Messiah set the program record for wins in a season (44) when they defeated Haverford over the weekend in the Super Regionals. Courtney Allen had a historic start to the season, beginning 25-0 in the circle. Her record now stands at 26-1 with a 1.52 ERA and 152 Ks over 179.2 innings. At the plate the Falcons boast one of the top offenses in the country.  They are batting at a .346 clip as a team and have hit 27 home runs. Amanda Jones leads the Falcons with a .438 average and Erin Cressman broke the program record for homers in a single season with 11. Messiah has six players with over 130 at-bats that are batting over .345 on the season. The Road to the Softball Championships		Schedule  |  Roster  |  Stats     Possible Lineup (Batting Average)   LF - Carrie Fix (.377)   3B - Brooke Pompeo (.346)   P - Courtney Allen (.357)   C - Becky Notte (.405)   SS - Amanda Jones (.438)   1B - Erin Cressman (.365)   CF - Amber Bingaman (.281)   DP - Madelyn Yannetti (.306)   RF - Shannon Denny (.311)   2B - Emily Quatrale (.167)   Pitchers   Innings  --  ERA  --  BA Against   Courtney Allen (26-1)   179.2 IP -- 1.52 ERA -- .220 BAA   Carrie Fix (9-2)   78.2 IP  -- 2.67 ERA  --  .257 BAA   Madelyn Yannettii (9-1)   65.1 IP  --  1.50 ERA  --  .231 BAA
NCAA Regionals     5/13     (N) Ferrum College                                       5-4 W     5/14     at Christopher Newport University        6-1 W     5/14     at Christopher Newport University        5-4 W	NCAA Super Regionals     5/20     vs. Haverford College                            4-1 W     5/22     vs. Haverford College                            6-5 L     5/22     vs. Haverford College                            3-1 W
No. 15 Rowan University Profs
Location: Glassboro, N.J. Coach: Kim Wilson (20th season at Rowan, 662-223) 2016 Record: 40-9, 15-3 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) NCAA Tournament Appearance: 24th (54-47, .535 winning percentage) Last NCAA Tournament Result: 2015, Regionals at Alfred - Went 2-2 with both losses coming to Alfred (1-0 and 8-0). 100 Words on the Profs: The Profs arrive at their fifth ever Softball Championships coming off a two-game sweep of Ithaca College (1-0 and 4-3 wins) in the Super Regionals. The Profs bring the 12th ranked offense in the country, scoring 7.43 runs per game (the highest of the eight teams remaining in the tournament). Led by shortstop Shilah Snead (.479 batting average) eight different Profs are batting over .335 on the season and the team is batting .357 as a whole (12th best mark in the country). Rowan has connected seven or more runs in over half of their games this season (29 of 49 – 59.2%). The Road to the Softball Championships		Schedule  |  Roster  |  Stats     Possible Lineup (Batting Average)   SS - Shilah Snead (.479)   LF - Mia Baldassari (.348)   DP - Ashley DeYoung (.355)   RF - Morgan Smith (.358)   2B - Carly Anderson (.432)   1B - Damariz Mercado (.246)   3B - Nicole Paiotti (.357)   C - Alyssa Sims (.336)   CF - Gianna Genello (.361)   P - Beth Ann Hyland     Pitchers   Innings  --  ERA  --  BA Against   Beth Ann Hyland (25-5)   163.0 IP -- 1.42 ERA -- .202 BAA     Allison Nolan (5-0)   57.1 IP  --  1.95 ERA  -- .236 BAA   MacKenzie Juodaitis (7-2)   50.1 IP   --  2.36 ERA  --  .241 BAA
NCAA Regionals     5/13     (N) Castleton University         4-2 W     5/14     at SUNY Cortland                      1-0 W     5/15     at SUNY Cortland                      13-12 L     5/15     at SUNY Cortland                      7-3 W	NCAA Super Regionals     5/20     at Ithaca College                     1-0 W     5/21     at Ithaca College                     4-3 W
No. 18 Illinois Wesleyan University Titans
Location: Bloomington, Ill. Coach: Kat McCreery (3rd season, 112-28) 2016 Record: 35-11, 11-3 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) NCAA Tournament Appearance: 15th (32-29, winning percentage) Last NCAA Tournament Result: 2015, Regionals at Illinois Wesleyan - Went 0-2 with losses to Alma (1-0) and Anderson (IN) (7-4). 100 Words on the Titans: The Titans arrive at their second ever Softball Championships (2003 – finished third) behind an upset victory over Luther in the Super Regionals. After dropping their first game to Luther the Titans won their next two (8-7 and 3-0) to advance to Salem. It's been a team effort for the Titans with Jenna Noland (133.1 IP) and Mackenzie Marquis (135.2 IP) splitting time in the circle all year long. At the dish seven different players are batting over .315 and each of them can hit the long ball. Each of their top eight players has at least one home run on the season. The Road to the Softball Championships		Stats  |  Roster  |  Schedule   Possible Lineup (Batting Average)   SS - Sam Gudat (.321)   DP - Laura Bonds (.322)   LF - Mary Rankin (.326)   C - Danielle Smith (.359)   2B - Julie Josten (.316)   1B - Cassidy Tarpey (.253)   3B - Katie Caulfield (.219)   RF - Maggie Graham (.343)   CF - Jillian Runyon (.315)   P - Jenna Noland     Pitchers   Innings  --  ERA  --  BA Against   Jenna Noland (14-4)   133.1 IP  --  2.05 ERA  --  .181 BAA     Mackenzie Marquis (17-6)   135.2 IP  --  2.43 ERA  -- .195 BAA   Alie Tarrant (4-1)   33.1 IP   --  2.52 ERA  --  .232 BAA
NCAA Regionals     5/13     vs. Hanover College                    7-2 W     5/14     vs. Washington University        3-1 W     5/15     vs. Depauw University                3-0 W	NCAA Super Regionals     5/20     at Luther College                       4-0 L     5/21     at Luther College                       8-7 W     5/21     at Luther College                       3-0 W
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Engineers
Location: Cambridge, Mass. Coach: Jennifer Williams (6th season, 108-98) 2016 Record: 33-12, 15-3 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2nd (7-3, .700 winning percentage) Last NCAA Tournament Result: 2015, Regionals at Tufts - Went 2-2 with both losses coming to eventual National Champion Tufts (3-1 and 3-2 (9 innings)). 100 Words on the Engineers: Playing in their second ever NCAA Tournament the Engineers have reached their first Softball Championships. MIT swept Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the Super Regionals in a pair of low scoring games (1-0 and 2-1). The Engineers are led by a strong sophomore class. Led by outfielder Jasmin Joseph (.427/.474/.567) the sophomore class accounts for four of MIT's top five hitters. Shortstop Amanda Lee (.371 average, 27 RBI, 3 HR) has been the other catalyst to the Engineers offense. In the circle senior pitcher Alexandra Marshall has thrown 219.1 innings to a 1.05 ERA with 252 strikeouts. The Road to the Softball Championships		Stats  |  Roster  |  Schedule     Possible Lineup (Batting Average)   CF - Jasmin Joseph (.427)   SS - Amanda Lee (.371)   RF - Katherine Shade (.313)   1B - Tori Jensen (.338)   2B - Zoe Hinton (.317)   C - Ali Trueworthy (.240)   3B - Monica Shifflet (.228)   DP - Erika Anderson (.203)   LF - Natalie Shifflet (.273)   P - Alexandra Marshall     Pitchers   Innings  --  ERA  --  BA Against   Alexandra Marshall (25-10)   219.1 IP  --  1.05 ERA  --  .199 BAA     Ravenne Nasser (5-2)   42.2 IP  --  2.46 ERA  -- .229 BAA   Amber Vanhemel (3-0)   32.0 IP   --  2.84 ERA  --  .282 BAA
NCAA Regionals     5/13     (N) Western Connecticut State University 7-2 W     5/14     (N) Johnson & Wales University                      5-0 W     5/15     at Williams College                                            4-1 L     5/15     at Williams College                                          5-3 W	NCAA Super Regionals     5/20     at Worcester Polytechnic Institute            1-0 W     5/21     at Worcester Polytechnic Institute            2-1 W
No. 3 University of Texas at Tyler Patriots
Location: Tyler, Texas Coach: Mike Reed (12th season at Texas-Tyler, 464-102) 2016 Record: 44-4, 29-0 American Southwest Conference (ASC) NCAA Tournament Appearance: 9th (103-35, .756 winning percentage) Last NCAA Tournament Result: 2015, National Runner-up - Lost to Tufts 7-4, 2-0 in National Championship Series 100 Words on the Patriots: A mainstay on the national stage in recent years, the Texas Tyler Patriots are making their first Softball Championships appearance in an even year (after reach the Softball Championships in each of the last four odd years – 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015). Last year's national runner-up, the Patriots return a deep and balanced team to this year's Softball Championships. Led by Kaylee Prather (.432 batting average), Texas-Tyler has four regulars batting over .400 on the season with four more hitting at a .335 clip or higher. In the circle Kelsie Batten (196.1 IP, 1.10 ERA, 156 Ks) has pitched the majority of the innings, but number two starter Alaina Kissinger (94.0 IP, 1.82 ERA, 76 Ks) has been dominate as well. The Road to the Softball Championships		Stats  |  Roster  |  Schedule     Possible Lineup (Batting Average)   RF - Kaylee Prather (.432)   SS - Raven Rodriguez (.409)   DP - Cheyenne Thompson (.431)   3B - Vanessa Carrizales (.405)   C - KK Stevens (.384)   2B - Bianca Van Vierah (.345)   1B - Jackie Mendez (.287)   LF - Kristen Lopez (.349)   CF - Lexi Ackroyd (.299)   P - Kelsie Batten     Pitchers   Innings  --  ERA  --  BA Against   Kelsie Batten (32-3)   196.1 IP  --  1.10 ERA  --  .176 BAA     Alaina Kissinger (11-1)   94.0 IP  --  1.82 ERA  -- .184 BAA   Jaiden Rawis (0-0)   7.0 IP   --  6.43 ERA  --  .355 BAA
NCAA Regionals     5/13    vs. Agnes Scott College                         8-0 W     5/14    vs. East Texas Baptist University      8-6 W     5/15    vs. Texas Lutheran University            7-2 W	NCAA Super Regionals     5/20    vs. Linfield College                           9-1 W     5/21    vs. Linfield College                           2-0 W
St. John Fisher College Cardinals
Location: Rochester, N.Y. Coach: Bari Mance (3rd season, 86-36) 2016 Record: 38-10, 9-3 Empire 8 NCAA Tournament Appearance: 7th (17-12, .586 winning percentage) Last NCAA Tournament Result: 2013, Regionals at Ithaca - Went 3-2 with losses to Western Conn. St. (5-3) and Lebanon Valley (3-2). 100 Words on the Cardinals: Along with the Falcons the Cardinals are the only other team to reach the 2016 Softball Championships despite not competing in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals enter their first ever Softball Championships after a two-game sweep of Manhattanville College in the Super Regionals (2-1 and 9-2 wins). Sophomore pitcher Lindsey Thayer (0.93 ERA, .119 BAA) looks to have the best numbers of any ace at the Softball Championships. On top of her minuscule ERA and opponents' batting average, Thayer is striking out almost two batters an inning, 426 Ks in 218.2 innings pitched (1.95 Ks/IP). At the plate it's Kennifer Knacck (.391/.405/.543) and Katie Mazierski (.388/.440/.425) that lead the offense. The Road to the Softball Championships		Stats  |  Roster  |  Schedule   Possible Lineup (Batting Average)   CF - Julia Sortisio (.344)   RF  - Katie Mazierski (.388)   DP - Ashley Prince (.346)   LF - Jennifer Knaak (.391)   C - Karlie Neale (.347)   1B - Sarah Kubik (.289)   2B - Lauren Owens (.257)   SS - Danielle Ventrone (.244)   3B - Kristina Balsano (.254)   P - Lindsay Thayer     Pitchers   Innings  --  ERA  --  BA Against   Lindsey Thayer (28-5)   218.2 IP  --  0.93 ERA  --  .119 BAA     Halie Schoff (8-4)   71.1 IP  --  3.04 ERA  -- .284 BAA   Monica Moses (2-1)   36.0 IP   --  3.69 ERA  --  .313 BAA
NCAA Regionals     5/13     vs. Penn State - Behrend                     3-0 W     5/14     vs. University of Rochester                 2-1 W     5/14     vs. University of Rochester                 3-2 W	NCAA Super Regionals     5/20     vs. Manhattanville College                 2-1 W     5/21     vs. Manhattanville College                 9-2 W
No. 9 Emory University Eagles
Location: Atlanta, Ga. Coach: Penny Siqueiros (18th season, 605-171-1) 2016 Record: 45-6, 10-0 University Athletic Association (UAA) NCAA Tournament Appearance: 14th (42-29, .592 winning percentage) Last NCAA Tournament Result: 2015, Super Regional at Texas-Tyler - Lost both games in Super Regionals against Texas-Tyler (4-0 and 12-2). 100 Words on the Eagles The Eagles are making their four-ever Softball Championships Appearance and first since 2007 (also appearances in 2002 and 2003). Emory is coming off a hard-fought Super Regional against Benedictine (IL) that went the distance. In the circle, Brittany File tosses the vast majority of the innings with 222.1 IP this season, she has pitched to a 1.23 ERA with 330 K's, second most among pitchers at the Softball Championships. At the plate Ashley Powers (.407/435/.600) and Cassie Baca (.400/.467/.600) lead an offensive that's batting .339 as a team. Janelle Turnquest provides the pop, with 12 homers on the season (tied for the most of any single player at this year's Softball Championships – Rowan's Ashley DeYoung). The Road to the Softball Championships		Stats  |  Roster  |  Schedule   Possible Lineup (Batting Average)   CF - Alyssa Pollard (.382)   LF - Taylor Forte (.377)   C - Melody Carter (.379)   2B - Janelle Turnquest (.333)   1B - Ashley Powers (.407)   RF - Amy Wray (.311)   SS - Cassie Baca (.400)   DP - Sam Vincent (.296)   3B - Emmeryn Wheelan (.256)   P - Brittany File     Pitchers   Innings  --  ERA  --  BA Against   Brittany File (35-4)   222.1 IP  --  1.23 ERA  --  .178 BAA     Toko Miller (1-0)   24.1 IP  --  1.44 ERA  -- .220 BAA   Audrey Weller (7-0)   44.0 IP   --  2.07 ERA  --  .197 BAA
NCAA Regionals     5/13     (N) Birmingham Southern           3-1 W     5/14     at Berry College                                5-2 W     5/15     at Berry College                                5-1 L     5/15     at Berry College                                5-4 (8) W	NCAA Super Regionals     5/20     vs. Benedictine (IL)                        2-1 W     5/21     vs. Benedictine (IL)                        1-0 L     5/21     vs. Benedictine (IL)                        3-1 W
No. 12 University of St. Thomas Tommies
Location: St. Paul, Minn. Coach: John Tschida (16th season at St. Thomas, 648-110) 2016 Record: 43-6, 20-2 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Confernce (MIAC) NCAA Tournament Appearance: 24th (69-45, .605 winning percentage) Last NCAA Tournament Result: 2015, Regionals at Luther - Went 1-2 with losses against Luther (3-2) and Linfield (6-0). 100 Words on the Tommies: Historically the most decorated team at this year's Softball Championships is St. Thomas. The Tommies are two-time National Champions (back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005) and also finished runner-up in 2006. They are making their sixth appearance at the Softball Championships since 2002. This season the Tommies are led by freshman Kierstin Anderson-Glass both at the plate and in the circle. The freshman has done it all tossing 213.1 innings with a 0.98 ERA and 229 Ks this season. Anderson-Glass is also second on the team in batting with a .382 average and three homers. Fellow freshman Melissa Barry leads the Tommies with a .441 average and has scored 25 runs out of the two-hole. The Road to the Softball Championships		Stats  |  Roster  |  Schedule   Possible Lineup (Batting Average)   2B - Meg DuPuis (.331)   LF - Melissa Berry (.441)   3B - Micaela Trainor (.363)   P - Kierstin Anderson-Glass (.382)   RF - Dana Connelly (.374)   1B - KatieJo Delisle (.302)   DP - Brenna Walek (.287)   C - Chase Shortly (.292)   CF - Megan Bush (.337)   SS - Rachel Suter     Pitchers   Innings  --  ERA  --  BA Against   Kierstin Anderson-Glass (30-4)   213.1 IP  --  1.27 ERA  --  .176 BAA     KatieJo Delisle (12-2)   89.1 IP  --  1.91 ERA  -- .190 BAA   Jessica Eppenberger (1-0)   18.0 IP   --  2.50 ERA  --  .169 BAA
NCAA Regionals     5/13     (N) Wisconsin - Whitewater         3-2 W     5/14     at Lake Forest College                   3-0 W     5/15     at Lake Forest College                   2-0 W	NCAA Super Regionals     5/20     at Trine University                        9-5 W     5/21     at Trine University                        2-1 W

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