Northridge Finds Practice Pays Off

The week of practice was not in vain for the Cal State Northridge softball team.

The Matadors, who played their Big West Conference finale on May 6, learned Sunday they had earned a 10th consecutive NCAA Division I playoff berth.

“I’m feeling very fortunate that we got in [the playoffs],” Coach Janet Sherman said.

Sherman believed the Matadors were on the bubble after a third-place conference finish and a so-so showing against ranked opponents.

But the Matadors held regular practices last week in hopes of earning a playoff berth.

No. 3-seeded Northridge (31-22) will face No. 4 San Diego State (38-23) at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in a first-round game of a double-elimination, six-team regional at UCLA.

The eight regional winners will advance to the Women’s College World Series, May 24-28, in Oklahoma City.