ASHLAND – Once again, the road to an NAIA title will start at home for the Southern Oregon University softball team.

The Raiders were among 10 teams selected on Friday to host the NAIA Championship Opening Round for the seventh time in eight postseasons. They'll be part of a four- or five-team, double-elimination bracket at Laurel Park from May 11-14.

Host bids were awarded by the national office based on rankings, geography and facilities. The Raiders (37-13 overall), ranked No. 6 in the final NAIA Top 25 poll, have previously hosted at the old University Field and in Medford at Lithia & Driveway Fields. This will be the first tournament at their new stadium.

The Raiders will learn who is joining them in Ashland when the 48-team national playoff field is announced at 3 p.m. Wednesday. They've officially qualified for the 10th consecutive postseason.

The 10 Opening Round champions will move on to the NAIA World Series, May 21-27 in Columbus, Ga. SOU has advanced seven of the last eight years and won its fourth championship during that stretch in 2025.

Of the 10 hosts named, only six were among the top-10 in the final NAIA coaches' poll. The lowest-ranked team to get a bid was No. 20 Central Methodist (Mo.).

The Raiders are in Klamath Falls this weekend for the Cascade Conference Tournament presented by U.S. Bank. As the No. 3 seed, they open against No. 6 seed Simpson (Calif.) at 11:30 a.m. Friday.

OPENING ROUND HOST | SITE
Central Methodist (Mo.) | Fayette, Mo.
Cumberlands (Ky.) | Williamsburg, Ky.
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) | Columbia, Ky.
Mobile (Ala.) | Mobile, Ala.
Oklahoma City | Oklahoma City, Okla.
Oregon Tech | Klamath Falls, Ore.
Science & Arts (Okla.) | Chickasha, Okla.
Southeastern (Fla.) | Lakeland, Fla.
Southern Oregon | Ashland, Ore.
William Carey (Miss.) | Hattiesburg, Miss.