Softball earns NCAA berth

The IU softball team is going to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006.

The Hoosiers, who finished the 2011 regular season second in the Big Ten and with an overall record of 37-16, drew a first-round matchup with DePaul on Friday in the Columbia, Mo. regional.

It's just the seventh-ever NCAA tournament appearance for IU and the first under coach Michelle Gardner.

The Hoosiers will enter the tournament having won 25 of their last 29 games.