GULF SHORES, Ala. – The (RV) Corban University softball team is set to make its third appearance at the NAIA Opening Round in as many years, and the third-seeded Warriors are confident they possess the firepower needed to make a run at this year's 2019 NAIA World Series.

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The action will take place in Gulf Shores, Ala., hosted by No. 7-ranked and No. 1-seeded University of Mobile (Ala.). The No. 2 seed, Campbellsville University (Ky.), will be Corban's first opponent, and No. 4-seeded Edward Waters College (Fla.) rounds out the four-team roster.

Campbellsville (33-13) is participating in its fifth-consecutive NAIA Opening Round, currently ranked 15^th in the NAIA Softball Coaches' Top-25 poll. The Tigers boast eight qualified hitters with a batting average above .300, led primarily by their powerful offensive trio of Payton Blades (.364, 10 HR, 39 RBIs), Lexi Miller (.348, 3 HR, 26 RBIs), and Ryley Whitney (.343, 9 HR, 32 RBIs).

Aleigha Talsma has been the squad's top performer in the circle, going 7-1 with a 1.76 ERA in 10 starts this season. The bulk of the team's innings were pitched by Morgan Gailor, however, who ended 2019 with a 16-7 record and 2.59 ERA in 28 appearances (22 starts). 

No. 7-ranked Mobile (38-17) serves as the tournament host after winning the 2019 Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Regular-Season and Tournament titles. While Emily Fleetwood (.382, 10 RBIs), Tyler Winkler (.318, 1 HR, 20 RBIs), Victoria Lewis (.293, 4 HR, 31 RBIs), and Ashley Sprayberry (.292, 4 HR, 37 RBIs) form a formidable offensive threat, the Rams' pitching has been their biggest strong suit.

All four of Mobile's pitchers possess a sub-two ERA, with Sydney O'Connor (129.1 IP, 1.14 ERA), Hope Cain (102.2 IP, 1.50 ERA) and Karley Sanders (106 IP, 1.92 ERA) providing head coach Alison Sellers-Cook with three dominant options in the circle.

Edward Waters (13-19) will enter the tournament as the Cinderella team, making just its second-ever appearance in the NAIA National Tournament. Ashley Combast leads the team in batting average, hitting at a .340 clip, while Samantha Hiley is the Lady Tigers' biggest power threat, boasting a team-leading six home runs on the season.

Alyssa Fonda has been the team's primary starter in the circle, going 6-7 with a 3.84 ERA in 15 starts in 2019.

Seeking a return to the NAIA World Series, Corban possesses a number of threats in its own right. The Navy and Gold is led offensively by Jessie Isham (.467, eight home runs, 50 RBIs), Sam Woodley (.392, five home runs, 37 RBIs), and Makiah Johnson (.325, three home runs, 24 RBIs), all of which are coming off of strong CCC-Tournament performances at the dish.

Rachel White (10-3, 2.19 ERA) has established herself as the squad's ace in the circle, but Warrior fans should also keep an eye on sophomore Ally Crakes (5-3, 2.81 ERA), who has emerged during the stretch run as a key weapon—both as a starter and in relief—for head coach Abigail Farler.

The winner of the Opening Round will advance to the NAIA World Series, which is slated for May 23-29 at the Killian Sports Complex in Springfield, Mo.