NCAA Division I Softball Regional

WHO: Cal State Northridge, Fresno State, Long Beach State and California.

WHEN: Today through Sunday.

WHERE: Fresno State.

WHY: Winner of the double-elimination tournament advances to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, May 22-25.

TODAY’S SCHEDULE: Game 1--No. 2 Cal State Northridge (34-20-2) vs. No. 3 Long Beach State (43-18-1), 5 p.m. Game 2--No. 1 Fresno State (49-12) vs. No. 4 California (34-24), 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE: Game 3--Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 1 p.m. Game 4--Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 3 p.m. Game 5--Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 6 p.m.

SUNDAY’S SCHEDULE: Game 6--Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 1 p.m. Game 7--Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 6, 3 p.m. (if necessary).

TICKET INFORMATION: Tournament pass is $25; individual day pass is $15. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance by credit card by calling the Fresno State ticket office at (209) 278-3647.

THE TEAMS

* Fresno State: The fourth-ranked Bulldogs are led offensively by junior outfielder Laura Berg, a 1996 Olympic team member who is batting .435 with 13 doubles, six triples and 33 RBIs. Freshman right-hander Amanda Scott is 16-3 with an 0.76 earned-run average. Versus Northridge: Fresno State has won 24 of 39 meetings. This is the third time in six years the two teams have played in a regional. Fresno State eliminated Northridge in a 1992 regional. The Matadors avenged the loss a year later, eliminating the Bulldogs at Northridge.

* Long Beach State: The 11th-ranked 49ers are led by junior catcher Jessie Martinez, who is batting .321, and junior designated player Amanda Adams, who has 40 RBIs. Versus Northridge: The Matadors lead the series, 27-23, and have won three of five games this season.

* California: The 25th-ranked Golden Bears are led by Melanie McCart, who is batting .325 with 15 doubles, 10 home runs and 54 RBIs. Like Northridge, Cal relies heavily on one pitcher. Holly Yost (27-19) has earned the last 23 decisions, going 14-9. Versus Northridge: The Matadors, who own a 8-7 advantage, have not played the Golden Bears this season.

* Northridge: After an impressive 14-4 run in April, the Matadors took a nose dive, losing three of their final four Big West games and surrendering the conference title to Long Beach. The 19th-ranked Matadors are batting .269 with 33 home runs. Four players are batting above .300--Jennifer Parker at .399, Chelo Lopez at .352, Cheri Shinn at .307 and Laura Redding at .301. Sophomore right-hander Tara Glaister (22-has won 14 of her last 16 starts. Glaister, with a 1.88 earned-run average, has struck out 253 in 231 innings.