Former Liberty North High School player Kiana McDowell’s collegiate team to play in the NCAA D1 Softball Championship starting Friday, May 17

Southern Illinois Salukis Coach Jen Sewell (2024) | https://mvc-sports.com/news/2018/10/10/softball-southern-illinois-jen-sewell-named-2018-donna-newberry-perseverance-award-honoree.aspx

By Clay Reporter

May 16, 2024

Former Liberty North High School player and current Southern Illinois Salukis pitcher and infielder, Kiana McDowell, will compete in the NCAA D1 Softball Championship Tournament.

There are 64 teams in the tournament, with the final eight teams receiving an invite to Omaha, Nebraska to play for the College World Series title.

The Southern Illinois Salukis begin the tournament as a number nine seed and will square off against the ninth seeded California Golden Bears.

The first round, Regionals, is double elimination where a team is only eliminated after two losses. From there, 16 teams will make the Super Regionals and play a best-of-three series.

Finally, the eight winners from Super Regionals will head to Omaha for a chance to play for the title of College World Series Champion!