GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University baseball team received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.  The Profs are seeded fourth at the Newport News, VA Regional that runs from Wednesday-Saturday, May 16-19.

The national tournament is double elimination.  The other teams in the regional include: #1 Christopher Newport University (30-7), #2 Salisbury University (31-7), #3 Shenandoah University (29-11), #5 Lynchburg College (34-8) and #6 Messiah College (19-23).  The winners of the eight regional tournaments move on to the national championship that is scheduled for Friday-Tuesday, May 25-29 at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, WI.

In the first round at Newport News on Wednesday, May 16, Messiah plays Christopher Newport at 9:30 a.m.  Lynchburg faces Salisbury at 1 p.m. followed by Rowan (30-13) against Shenandoah at 4:30 p.m.

This is the Profs’ 21st appearance and third straight year in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.  Rowan won the national title in 1978 and 1979.  The Profs finished third in 1977.  Rowan has a 57-38 record in the NCAA tournament.

Shenandoah also earned an at-large bid.  The Hornets are in the national tournament for the fourth consecutive season.  Shenandoah has a 12-6 mark in the NCAA Championship Tournament.  Christopher Newport (USA South), Salisbury (Capital Athletic), Lynchburg (Old Dominion) and Messiah (Commonwealth) all won their respective conference and received automatic bids to the national tournament.

Christopher Newport is in the NCAAs for the seventh time overall and second straight season.  The Captains have a 19-13 record in the national tournament.  Christopher Newport finished second in 2003 and third in 2002.  Salisbury is making its 18th appearance and 12th in a row.  The Sea Gulls are 36-35 in the NCAA Tournament and captured fourth place in 2001. 

Lynchburg is in the national tournament for the first time since 2008.  It is the Hornets’ 10th appearance and they have a 16-18 mark.  Messiah is in the NCAAs for the second consecutive year and fifth time overall.  The Falcons are 4-8 in the national tournament.

The schedule for the Newport News Regional is below.  Check rowanathletics.com and www.cnusports.com/sports/2012/4/26/BB_0426124452.aspx for updated results and schedule.

Wednesday, May 16
Game 1: #6 Messiah College (19-23) vs. #1 Christopher Newport University (30-7), 9:30 a.m.
Game 2: #5 Lynchburg College (34-8) vs. #2 Salisbury University (31-7), 1:00 p.m.
Game 3: #4 Rowan University (30-13) vs. #3 Shenandoah University (29-11), 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 17
Game 4: loser game 1 vs. loser game 2, 9:30 a.m.
Game 5: winner game 1 vs. loser game 3, 1:00 p.m.
Game 6: winner game 2 vs. winner game 3, 4:30 p.m.

If four teams remain after game 6:
Friday, May 18
Game 7: winner game 5 vs. winner game 6, 9:30 a.m.
Game 8: winner game 4 vs. loser game 6, 1:00 p.m.
Game 9: winner game 8 vs. loser game 7, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 19
Game 10: winner game 7 vs. winner game 9, 10:00 a.m.
Game 11: winner game 10 vs. loser game 10 (if necessary), 2:00 p.m.

If five teams remain after game 6:
Friday, May 18
Game 7: loser game 5 vs. loser game 6, 9:30 a.m.
Game 8: winner game 4 vs. winner game 5, 1:00 p.m.
Game 9: winner game 6 vs. winner game 7, 4:30 p.m.

If two teams remain after game 9:
Saturday, May 19
Game 10: winner game 8 vs. winner game 9, 10:00 a.m.
Game 11: winner game 10 vs. loser game 10 (if necessary), 2:00 p.m.

If three teams remain after game 9:
Saturday, May 19
Game 10: winner game 8 vs. loser game 9, 10:00 a.m.
Game 11: winner game 9 vs. winner game 10, 2:00 p.m.