CS Northridge to Play Host to NCAA Softball Regional

NORTHRIDGE — The Cal State Northridge softball team cheered the news Sunday--and breathed a collective sigh of relief--when it was announced that the third-ranked Matadors would play host to one of eight NCAA regional tournaments this week.

Each regional consists of four teams, which will play a double-elimination tournament Friday through Sunday.

Northridge (46-7), making its third consecutive appearance in the playoffs, will play host to Washington (43-19), Cal State Fullerton (32-27) and Maine (32-15). Washington will play Fullerton at 12:30 p.m. Friday, followed by the Matadors against Maine at 3 p.m.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Coach Gary Torgeson said. “It’s gonna be a great tournament. I think these are good teams and they deserve to be here, but it’s in our favor. They’ve got to come down to earthquake country to play.”

The Matadors and supporters crowded into a local sports bar early Sunday evening to witness the announcement of the pairings via closed-circuit television.

All were holding their breath, fearing that Northridge, two-time defending Western Athletic champions, would be snubbed as a host because of the damage sustained by the campus in the January earthquake. Parking was the main concern.

Without the use of the tri-level parking structure, which collapsed in the earthquake, plans are being made to offer parking on the north end of campus and have fans shuttled to Matador Diamond.