With the seats packed full of Panthers and the NCAA Division II Softball Selection Show on the screen, elation swept across the room as it was announced that Florida Tech has received a bid to the NCAA Regionals for the first time in program history. (Photo by Amanda Stratford Photography)
BREVARD COUTNY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – With the seats packed full of Panthers and the NCAA Division II Softball Selection Show on the screen, elation swept across the room as it was announced that Florida Tech has received a bid to the NCAA Regionals for the first time in program history.
“This has been my goal since I started working here,” said head coach Val Silvestrini in an interview with Florida Today.
“It took six years, longer than I expected but I am so proud of this team. It is not easy, there are really good teams in our region. Now it is show time, anybody can win it. I am really proud of what this team has accomplished.”
Although the Panthers have achieved their goal, Silvestrini stresses that the team will not become complacent.
“We have said since day one that our goal was to play in May and we accomplished it. Now our goal is to play through May.”
FIT has been pegged as the sixth seed in the region. Rollins received the two seed, while North Alabama was slotted at No. 3. Tampa rounds out the bracket as the seventh seed.
The Panthers’ opponent in the opening round, North Alabama, will host the four-team regional in Florence, Alabama. FIT and the Lions will square off on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The winner of that game will play the winner of Rollins and Tampa on Saturday, while the losers of each contest will face off on Saturday in an elimination game.
On the other side of the region, Valdosta State received the top seed and will serve as host. Shorter was slated fourth, while Alabama-Huntsville garnered the No. 5 seed. The eighth and final seed went to SIAC champion Tuskegee.
The occasion certainly deserves some celebration. However, now the real work begins for FIT.
Val Silvestrini
“It is unbelievable, we are so excited,” said Silvestrini.
“We have a couple hours to celebrate and will be back on the field finding a way to beat these teams.”
To view all of the brackets for the entire 64 team field, follow the link posted to the right of this release.
