CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia softball team (27-24) has been tabbed as the top seed for the National Invitational Softball Championship (NISC), headlining a 12-team field at the Division-I postseason softball event that includes four Power 5 programs and eight mid-majors with action set to begin Friday (May 20).

All games will take place at the TC Colorado Field, just outside the offices of Triple Crown Sports in Fort Collins, Colo. The NISC began in 2017 and ran through 2019 before pausing for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL INVITATIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The NISC is a double-elimination tournament with competition beginning on Friday. As one of the top four seeds, the Cavaliers receive a first-round bye and will face either Bowling Green or Stephen F. Austin on Saturday (May 21). The double-elimination round runs through May 24.

The tournament concludes with the championship round featuring the four teams emerging from the double-elimination round of action. The championship round will be played May 25-26.

Tournament Schedule (First Two Rounds Only Listed)
Friday, May 20 (Times Listed In ET):
Bowling Green vs. Stephen F. Austin, 10:30 a.m.
Kansas vs. George Washington, 1 p.m.
UC San Diego vs. Rutgers, 3:30 p.m.
Tarleton State vs. North Alabama, 6 p.m.

Saturday, May 21
TBA vs. Virginia, 10:30 a.m.
TBA vs. Central Arkansas, 1 p.m.
TBA vs. Baylor, 3:30 p.m.
TBA vs. UNLV, 6 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the NISC are available online at https://wahoowa.net/NISCTickets.

Fans can purchase a Tournament Pass good for all games and all days for $70. Single-day passes are available for $15 per day. Championship round passes are available for $25. Children 12 and under are free. Active military and veterans are free with a valid ID. Seniors 65 and older are also admitted for free.

All tickets for the event are general admission.

NOTING THE CAVALIERS
• UVA finished sixth in the ACC with a 13-11 record marking the highest ACC finish since the 2012 season.
• The 13 wins in ACC play is tied for the most in a season in program history matching the 2010 season.
• The 27 overall wins is the most in a season for the Cavaliers since the 2010 team went 34-23.
• Virginia ties for 15th nationally in fielding percentage and second in the ACC, fielding at a .975 clip in 2022.
• Sophomore Madison Harris ranks second nationally in saves (6), setting the UVA single-season record for saves.
• Sophomore Leah Boggs leads the ACC in runners caught stealing (15) and ranks 13th nationally.

FROM HEAD COACH JOANNA HARDIN
“I’m really proud of our team and excited for the opportunity to extend our season. The NISC tournament has been on hold for a couple of years, so we are grateful that we are able to participate and compete for a postseason championship. When your team is practicing deep into May, it means you are doing something right. We can’t wait to get to Colorado to compete.”