Chapman Ready to Defend

ORANGE — Chapman will begin defense of its NCAA Division III softball title Friday in Holland, Mich., and Panther co-Coach Janet Lloyd is confident.

Chapman’s first game in the Central Regional will be against Illinois Wesleyan, a team the Panthers beat, 7-0, in a game shortened by the mercy rule. Another team in the regional is Calvin (Mich.), which Chapman beat in a doubleheader, 2-0 and 8-1.

Lloyd said she is happy the top-ranked Panthers (34-7) were moved from the tougher Western Regional in Iowa.

“I’ve been nervous this whole year,” Lloyd said. “I didn’t want to go to Iowa for the regional. When I found out we were going to Michigan, it felt like a weight had been lifted.

“I feel much more confident about our chances now.”

The six regional winners advance to the national tournament, May 16-19, in Salem, Va. Last year, the Panthers’ first in Division III, Chapman swept to the title, winning all six playoff games, including a 4-2 victory over Trenton State for the championship.

The Panthers haven’t been as dominant this season, but they have been looking forward to these final two weeks since the season started.

“We are definitely prepared,” Lloyd said. “Half my players are already packed and ready to go.”