LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The No. 2 Lock Haven University softball team (44-5) is set to host the 2009 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Super Regional Championships.

Lock Haven will play host to No. 11 Kutztown in a best-of-three series, starting tomorrow (Friday May, 15).

The following preview is courtesy of Tom Fox, Sports Editor for the The Express (Lock Haven, Pa.)

The sun beats down on Lawrence Field. The infield on the diamond is a little harder than normal.

Standing near the pitcher's circle is All-American shortstop Ilia Lopez tossing down water from a nearby hose, while 2009 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament MVP Julia Popovich is waiting for her turn to spray down the infield.

Spreading the dirt and water around on the John Deere tractor is none other than manager Kelley Green.

Ah, the life of a Division II softball team.

Right now, there are tons of players across the nation in envy of Lock Haven - one of only 16 Division II teams that have their seasons alive and well.

For eight of them across the country, this weekend will mark the final step.

The journey toward Salem, Va. and another national title continues tomorrow in Lock Haven as the No. 2 ranked Lady Eagles host Kutztown University in the Mid-Atlantic Super Regionals.

It's a best-of-three series with the winner advancing to represent the region in next week's NCAA Division II national championships. Game 1 will be played at 12 p.m. tomorrow, while Game 2 takes place 12 p.m. on Saturday. If a third game is needed, it will be played immediately following Game 2.

"That first game is big. A best-of-three is such a short series," Green said. "The first game could set the tone. We have to jump out strong and we can't hold anything back. We don't have time to do that. If we do, we are going to get behind and that's something that can't happen in a three-game series. Basically, you get caught behind and it turns into a single-elimination series. It is important to start strong in the first game."

It's the constant debate in the world of sports.

Would you rather travel to a tournament or would you rather host it?

In past seasons, it's been Lock Haven traveling down to Kutztown or Shippensburg for either PSACs or the regionals. It's a path that's been a pretty successful one, leading to three consecutive national tournament berths.

Lawrence Field has been pretty kind, though. LHU brings a 75-game home winning streak into tomorrow's Game 1, and the senior class has never lost a contest in Clinton County.

"To be honest, sometimes hosting can be a little more stressful," Green said. "You want everything to be perfect at your home site. For me, personally, it is a little more stressful. For the team, it's nice to play at your home field where they are pretty comfortable. Once the game starts up, that goes away. We didn't have a lot of home games in the regular season, so it was nice to add some here at the end when the weather is nice."

The Lady Eagles are rolling in the postseason. In the PSACs, LHU averaged nearly eight runs a game. The defense and senior pitcher Kristin Erb sparkled in the Atlantic Regional first-round bracket last weekend in Lock Haven. Erb threw a perfect game against Bowie State, and combined with a nearly spotless defensive effort from her teammates, didn't allow a single run to cross home.

The infield of Sarah Norris, Lopez, Amanda Gutmaker and Krystin Montoro have been spot on, while the outfield of Popovich, Nancy O'Connor and Erica Eisenbise have made the plays when called upon.

"The defense is coming on strong. I'm pleased with the way that our infield has played," Green said. "Gutmaker, for her first year at second base, has come on strong in the postseason. Everyone is making the plays. Gutmaker and Ilia both made some spectacular plays in the regional last weekend. That's our team. We are built around pitching and defense first. Our offense is definitely strong, but we know that pitching and defense wins championships. That's got to be there this weekend for us."

Kutztown, ranked No. 11 in the nation, had to battle to earn a spot in the Super Regional. The Golden Bears cruised through the first two days of the Atlantic 2 bracket, but had to withstand a battle from No. 6 seed West Virginia Wesleyan. The Bobcats won the first championship game, 9-6 in extra innings, but Kutztown - behind a stellar pitching performance from Monica Glomb and a two-run double from freshman Heather Hannum - advanced in the final game, 2-0.

KU is extremely talented with the sticks. The team is led by Steph Denlinger, who is batting close to .440 with 22 home runs and 63 RBI.

Krista Cameron, Ashley Fitzgerald, Kim Morrison and Maria Schiavo are all hitting over .300, while Cameron and Fitzgerald have combined for 127 hits, 23 home runs and 99 RBI.

This is the first time in 2009 that LHU and KU has faced off.

"It's nice in a sense because it's not a team we would be playing for the fourth or fifth time like if Bloomsburg would have advanced. At the same time, you are never happy to see a team like Kutztown because they have so many capable bats in the lineup," Green said. "We would welcome anyone here. We're glad to play Kutztown because they have been the No. 2 team in the region all season. It should be a pretty good series.

"No. 1 through No. 9 in the lineup, every girl can hit the ball for them. Erb needs to be on her game, and the defense needs to make some plays."

The postseason has been the trademark for Lock Haven; a time when the team always seems to elevate their play another notch.

Will 2009 be the same?

"When May starts, we are ready to go because it is an exciting month," Green said. "Right now, the postseason is a chance to get to that national championship. We are excited about the opportunity."

*Preview courtesy of Tom Fox, Sports Editor The Express (Lock Haven, Pa.)

The NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Super Regional kicks off tomorrow (Friday May 15) at noon on LHU’s Lawrence Field. Game 2 of the best-of-three series is set for noon on Saturday (May 16) with Game 3 immediately following if necessary.

To visit the tournament’s official page, use the following link.