VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., May 21, 2010 - The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats will face No. 4 Florida Gators in the NCAA Division I Softball Regional beginning today, Friday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at the Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. 

The Wildcats will be making their first appearance in the NCAA Softball Regional since 2005 when B-CU earned the MEAC's first at-large bid in softball. Bethune-Cookman clinched the MEAC tournament title following a 7-3 victory over North Carolina A&T last Saturday, May 15.  The Wildcats are 32-22 overall and finished first with a 9-3 MEAC mark in southern division. 

Florida will serve as host of the Regional for the 11th time, eighth consecutive year. The Gators fell to Louisiana State University in the SEC's semifinals, 9-1, marking the first win for the Tigers in 10 previous meetings.  Despite the loss the Gators moved up to No. 4 in the polls and earned a at-large bid to the NCAA postseason tournament boasting a 43-8 overall mark and the SEC eastern divisional title.

The Gators hold a 12-2 all-time edge against the Wildcats who enter the game winning nine of their last 10 games including a current win streak of seven.

FIU and UCF will face each other in the opener on Friday, May 21 beginning at 3:30 p.m. (ET), followed by the matchup featuring B-CU and UF. The two winners will play the first game at 1 p.m. (ET) on Saturday, May 22, followed by the losers of the first two games at 3:30 p.m.  The loser of Saturday's first game and the winner of the second will battle for the last spot at 6 p.m.  On Sunday, the two remaining teams will play in the Regional Championship at 1 p.m. (ET) and if necessary, again at 3:30 p.m.

2010 Gainesville Regional Schedule                   

Click here for the 2010 NCAA Softball Printable Bracket.