College Softball's Top Teams Battle in Kia Klassic; Nation's Toughest Tournament Features Eight Ranked Teams

    IRVINE, Calif., March 6 Cal State Fullerton will play host
to eight of the Top 25 women's fastpitch college teams when the Kia Klassic
collegiate softball tournament swings into action March 14.  The five-day,
16-team tournament is widely regarded as second only to the NCAA College
Softball World Series among collegiate women's fastpitch tournaments.  The
championship game will be contested Sunday, March 18, at 2 p.m.
    As one of the most prestigious softball events in women's sports, the Kia
Klassic is filled with teams highly ranked on the USA Today/National Fastpitch
Coaches Association Coaches' Poll.  It includes five of the top 10 teams in
the nation: Arizona (2), Oklahoma (5), Fresno State (7), Arizona State (9) and
Cal State Fullerton (10).
    In addition, Top 25 teams participating in the event include DePaul
(No. 11), Washington (No. 12) and Notre Dame (No. 15).  Three other teams in
the Kia Klassic -- North Carolina, Louisiana-Lafayette and Cal State
Northridge -- are not in the Top 25 but all received mention in the coaches'
balloting.  Rounding out the field are Texas, Utah State, New Mexico State,
UNLV and Hawaii.
    The action gets underway March 14 at 5 p.m. when New Mexico State takes on
Texas and Cal State Northridge battles UNLV.  The 7 p.m. contest that evening
will feature Cal State Fullerton versus North Carolina.
    Pool play continues March 15 with games beginning at 9 a.m. and running
through the day and evening.  Pool play concludes the afternoon of March 16,
followed by the start of the 16-team championship/consolation bracket format.
That format will carry through Saturday, March 17, and conclude Sunday with
semifinal games at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.  The championship game starts at 2 p.m.
    With the exception of one pool game to be played at Fullerton College, all
other games will be played at Cal State Fullerton.  Tournament passes and
day-long passes are available at the gate.  For ticket information, call
714-278-2783.