The 17th ranked Louisville softball team has been selected as one of the 16 regional hosts for the 2009 NCAA Tournament. It's the first time U of L has been selected as a regional host.

"We're very excited to be hosting at home in our sixth NCAA appearance," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "It is really a treat for us to be able to play at home in front of our fans. This is a great regional with Arizona and UT Martin and a wonderful opportunity for the city of Louisville to come out and see some great college softball in a history-making NCAA regional for us."

That's the good news. The bad news is that one of the three teams coming to town is perennial powerhouse and No. 9 overall seed Arizona.

Play begins Friday at 4 p.m. when the Wildcats face Tennessee-Martin, and then continues at 6 when the Cardinals take on Purdue. The regional is double-elimination.

Ticket information from U of L:

Ticket prices
Berm
$7 - Single Session
$20 - All Tournament

Reserved
$10 - single session
$25 All-Tournament Pass

Students with ID
$5 single session
$15 - All-Tournament Pass

Please call 502-852-5151 for tickets.