After playing a tough schedule during the regular season, Central Baptist College softball went 0-2 in the American Midwest Conference tournament and had to wait on pins and needles to see if they would earn an at-large bid. CBC did indeed, getting the No. 3 seed in the Marion, Ind., bracket. CBC will be making its third appearance in the NAIA National Tournament and the first since the format changed in 2013.

“I am so proud of these ladies and the work they have put in this year,” said head coach Jordon Jones after the announcement. “They continue to pave the way for this program and it will only get better from here! Making it to the opening round was a goal from day one and to watch it happen is an amazing feeling. We are ready to get to work preparing for our regional and hope to represent well! Thank you to everyone who has followed and supported us along the way! Let’s keep rolling! Go Mustangs!”

CBC’s first opponent will be the Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan, the No. 2 seed and host school. The game will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, May 13. The Mustangs and the Wildcats have met once previously in the 2010 NCCAA National Tournament semifinals, a game won by CBC 2-0. The Wildcats also received an at-large bid and are participating in the opening round for the fifth consecutive season.

The other two seeds in the Marion Bracket are No. 1 Oregon Tech and No. 4 Siena Heights, neither of whom CBC has played before. The Owls of OIT were the runners up in the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament to earn an automatic bid. The team finished the season 40-15 and will also be making its sixth appearance in the opening round. Siena Heights won the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference tournament with a record of 32-14 and will also be making the school’s first opening round appearance.

To keep track of the softball team as CBC plays in the opening round, like Central Baptist College Athletics on Facebook and follow @gocbcmustangs on Instagram and Twitter.