May 4, 2008

IRVING, Texas - Texas A&M captured its second Big 12 regular season title and will enter the 2008 Big 12 Softball Championship as the top seed. The nationally-ranked Aggies finished conference play with a 17-1 record, marking their most conference wins in league history. The Big 12 Softball Championship returns to ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on Friday-Sunday, May 9-11 for the 13th consecutive year.

Oklahoma will take the No. 2 seed after closing out the season with a 16-2 record followed by third-seeded Missouri (11-6). Oklahoma State and Texas both finished the season 9-9 but based on the conference tiebreaking policy, the Longhorns received the higher seed because of a larger run differential during conference play. Texas Tech will be the No. 6 seed with its highest placement since 2001.

No. 7 seed Kansas will meet No. 10 seed Nebraska at 5 p.m. on Friday to open championship action while No. 8 Baylor and No. 9 Iowa State will play at the same time on Field 4.

Fox Sports Net will televise Saturday's 4:30 semifinal game as well as Sunday's noon championship contest.

Texas (1999, 2002-03, `05) has won the most postseason championships with four followed by Nebraska (1998, 2000, `04), and Oklahoma (1996, 2001, `07 ) who have captured three championships each. Missouri (1997) and Kansas (2006) have claimed top honors once. The winner will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Softball Championship.

2008 BIG 12 SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
May 9-11 • ASA Hall of Fame Stadium • Oklahoma City

Friday, May 9
Game 1 - No. 7 Kansas vs. No. 10 Nebraska -- 5 p.m.
Game 2 - No. 8 Baylor vs. No. 9 Iowa State -- 5 p.m. Field 4

Saturday, May 10
Game 3 - No. 2 Oklahoma vs. Game 1 Winner -- 11 a.m.
Game 4 - No. 3 Missouri vs. No. 6 Texas Tech -- 11:30 a.m. Field 4
Game 5 - No. 1 Texas A&M vs. Game 2 Winner -- 1:30 p.m.
Game 6 - No. 4 Texas vs. No. 5 Oklahoma State -- 2 p.m. Field 4
Game 7 - Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner -- 4:30 p.m. [FSN]
Game 8 - Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner -- 7 p.m.

Sunday, May 11
Game 9 - Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner -- Noon [FSN]
Championship Game