DECATUR, Ala. -- The Lindsey Wilson College softball team opens its first appearance in the NAIA National Championship at 9:30 a.m. CT on Thursday against Simon Fraser (B.C.) University at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex.

Simon Fraser represents the start of three days of pool-play action to cut the field of 32 down to eight teams, who will battle through a double-elimination bracket for the right to take home the national championship.

Concordia (Ore.) University and Bellevue (Neb.) University join the Clan and the Blue Raiders in Pool C.

While Lindsey Wilson (45-13) is making its first appearance at the national championship, Simon Fraser (21-14) is enjoying its 13th straight trip to the tournament where it has won three national titles (1999, 2003, and 2005).

After finishing as runner up at the Association of Independent Institutions Championship, the Clan was awarded one of the association's two automatic berths. Simon Fraser lost its first game at the A.I.I. tournament to Houston-Victoria 3-1, forcing the Clan to earn the berth the hard way, winning four straight games before falling to fifth ranked Cal State San Marcos in the final.

A.I.I. Player of the Year Leah Riske leads the Clan from first base. The sophomore finished the regular season with a team high seven home runs and 33 RBI. Designated player Kelsey Haberl posted a team-leading .391 batting average this season and has proven to be a tough out at the plate with just three strikeouts.

Jennifer Van Egdom is the ace of the Clan's pitching staff, posting a 9-5 record with a 2.21 ERA. Van Egdom is limiting opposing batters to a .225 average and is slated to start the opener against the Blue Raiders.

Leading Lindsey Wilson from the circle will be Mid-South Conference Pitcher of the Year Anyibell Ramirez. The junior holds a 24-7 record and 1.03 ERA. Ramirez is limiting the opposition to a staggering .129 batting average and leads the nation in strikeouts with 347.

Junior catcher Ally Goniea and her team-leading .393 batting average power the Lindsey Wilson offense. Goniea has connected on a team-high 10 home runs and 53 RBIs. Sophomore shortstop Jamie Williams is batting .382 with three triples and her classmate Emily Carnes is enjoying a late-season hitting surge that has her average at .329.

Heading into national-championship play Lindsey Wilson is outscoring its opponents 286-85. While Ramirez has been dominant all season, Morgan Paschall has been every bit as dangerous. The junior has compiled a 19-5 record with a 1.34 ERA and 198 strikeouts.