Top-Ranked Virginia Wesleyan Earns #1 Billing

FOREST, Va. --- The spotlight has shown bright on ODAC softball for several years but especially the past calendar year with Virginia Wesleyan University (39-1, 17-1 ODAC) capturing the 2017 NCAA Division III title. The Marlins have maintained their national top billing -- along with three others receiving national recognition throughout the season -- and occupy the #1 position in the upcoming ODAC Softball Tournament as the nation's top-ranked team for a second straight season.

Randolph-Macon College (37-3, 16-2), which joins VWU with more than 30 victories, is the only team to defeat the Marlins so far this season. The Yellow Jackets, ranked fourth by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), are the second seed in the conference postseason. Lynchburg College (28-10, 12--6), which at one point was ranked by the NFCA, and Roanoke College (24-16, 11-7) round out the top-four seeds.

RELATED: Interactive Bracket | Tournament Website

Emory & Henry College (28-12, 9-9) also appeared in the NFCA poll earlier this season. The Wasps will be the fifth seed and square off with Roanoke in the first round of the ODAC Tournament. Eastern Mennonite University (19-17, 7-11) and Randolph College (14-21, 7-11) tied for sixth position following the final regular season games on the WildCats' home field. The Royals swept Randolph earlier this season, snapping the tie and awarding the sixth seed to EMU. The Royals will open with Lynchburg, while Randolph squares off with Randolph-Macon for third time this week. The final seed goes to Guilford College (17-22, 5-13), which meets Virginia Wesleyan in its opener.

The ODAC's double-elimination tournament begins on Friday, April 27 and continues through Sunday, April 29.  All games will be played at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem.

Listed below is the entire schedule for the 2018 ODAC Softball Tournament, which is subject to change in the case of inclement weather.  For more information, visit any of the participating schools' websites and stop by the ODAC tournament website.  Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter and Instagram.

2018 ODAC SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
James I. Moyer Sports Complex - Salem, Va.

Friday, April 27
Game 1: #1 Virginia Wesleyan vs. #8 Guilford - Field 1 - 12:00 p.m.
Game 2: #4 Roanoke vs. #5 Emory & Henry - Field 3 - 12:00 p.m.
Game 3: #2 Randolph-Macon vs. #7 Randolph - Field 1 - 2:00 p.m.
Game 4: #3 Lynchburg vs. #6 Eastern Mennonite - Field 3 - 2:00 p.m.
Game 5: Loser G1 vs. Loser G2 - Field 1 - 5:00 p.m.
Game 6: Loser G3 vs. Loser G4 - Field 3 - 5:00 p.m.
Game 7: Winner G1 vs. Winner G2 - Field 1 - 7:00 p.m.
Game 8: Winner G3 vs. Winner G4 - Field 3 - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 28
Game 9: Winner G5 vs. Loser G8 - Field 1 - 11:00 a.m.
Game 10: Winner G6 vs. Loser G7 - Field 3 - 11:00 a.m.
Game 11: Winner G7 vs. Winner G8 - Field 1 - 2:00 p.m.
Game 12: Winner G9 vs. Winner G10 - Field 1 - 5:00 p.m.
Game 13: Winner G12 vs. Loser G11 - Field 1 - 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 29
Championship Game
Game 14: Winner G11 vs. Winner G13 - Field 1 - 1:00 p.m.

If necessary...
Game 15: Rematch of Game 14 - Field 1 - 4:00 p.m.

Games 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 played on Field 3.  All other games on Field 1.