May 16, 2004

The North Carolina softball team received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament Sunday night, after going 43-20 on the season and finishing second in the ACC regular season. The Tar Heels will face Baylor (45-14) in Waco, Texas on Thursday, May 20 at 11 a.m. UNC will go to the NCAA Regionals for the third time in their history, as they received a bid in 2001 and 2003 as well.

"We are very excited about getting a bid," said UNC head coach Donna J. Papa. "We worked really hard this season to get in this position, and it is exciting to have this opportunity."

Carolina is coming off a third-place finish at the ACC Tournament. The Tar Heels defeated Maryland 7-2, but then fell to No. 4 Florida State 8-0 (5) and to No. 24 Georgia Tech 4-0. UNC senior Natashalyn Snipes was named to the All-Tournament team after batting .375 with two stolen bases over the weekend.

"It doesn't matter what you did before, all that matters is how you do this weekend," said Papa. "Any team can win it and that is the attitude we will have going out there. We are ready and excited for the challenge."

Also participating in the Waco Regional will be top-seeded LSU, Texas A&M-CC, Houston, Seton Hall, Illinois and Texas San-Antonio.