PROVO -- For the first time in its six-year history, BYU has been selected to host the NCAA Regionals at Gail Miller Field.
The NCAA berth is the second consecutive year the Cougars have been selected to play in the field of 64. Last season, BYU picked up an upset victory over second-ranked California in Fresno, Calif.
The Cougars were an at-large selection as three Mountain West Conference teams were picked to the field of 64. MWC Tournament champion Utah and regular season champion San Diego State were also selected.
"We had a great year so I'm not surprised that we got a bid," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "The nice surprise is that we will be able to play in front of a home crowd."
BYU will welcome two teams that it played during the regular season in Kansas and Southern Utah. Washington will enter the Regional as the seeded squad. The Cougars will take on the Jayhawks Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. (MDT). SUU and Washington will follow at 7 p.m.
"We've played Kansas once already this year and they are a great team," Eakin said. "Washington is a very tough team, we'll definitely have to play excellent softball this week."
The NCAA Regionals are a double-elimination format. Games will also be played on Friday and Saturday with game times to be announced.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to host," Eakin said. "We have great facilities and hope our fans come out and fill the park."
Ticket prices will soon be released.