(#15) SOUTHERN ARKANSAS LADY MULERIDERS 51-9 (33-8 GAC)	(#3) NORTH ALAMABA LIONS 55-6 (30-3 GSC)
2016 NCAA DIVISION II WOMEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES Tuesday, May 17 | 6 p.m. Regency Athletic Complex - Denver, Colo. LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO (SAU Feed)

Leading Off
The magical year for the Southern Arkansas softball team continues this week as the Lady Muleriders are among the Elite 8 of NCAA Division II Softball and are competing in the Women's College World Series in Denver, Colo.

The Lady Muleriders got to the World Series thanks to sensational play this post-season. Since the start of the Great American Conference Tournament, SAU Softball is 10-1 and have claimed tournament titles in the GAC, the Central Sub-Regional held in Magnolia and the Central Super Regional held in Russellville.

As champions of the Central Region, the Lady Muleriders have drawn former conference foe and South Region champions, the University of North Alabama as their opening round opponent.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams since the 2011 season as SAU broke away the following year from the Gulf South Conference to become a charter member of the Great American Conference.

In terms of the measurables, both teams are ranked in the top-15 of latest NFCA Top-25 Coaches Poll with UNA being ranked #3 and SAU #15.

Additionally, both teams possess two of the best offenses in all of DII with each tanking in the top-25 in DII in Scoring (UNA, 3rd - SAU, 22nd), Slugging Percentage (UNA, 2nd - SAU, 9th), Homeruns/Game (UNA, 3rd - SAU, T-7th).

While their offenses pack some punch, both teams also have gotten it done in the circle as the two rank in the top-25 of DII in Team ERA (SAU, 12th - UNA, 22nd).

First-pitch between the Lady Muleriders and Lions will be at 6 p.m. CST at the Recency Athletic Complex in downtown Denver. Winner of this opening round matchup between SAU and UNA will play the winner of Charleston and Adelphi on Wednesday, May 18 at 3:30 p.m.