NCAA Softball Tournament Bracket: Michigan Headed To Louisville Regional

Michigan is headed back to the NCAA softball tournament after winning yet another Big Ten title. The Wolverines clinched their fifth conference title in a row this past weekend to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Unlike the last decade, Michigan will open the NCAA tournament on the road. For the first time since 2001, the Wolverines aren't hosting a regional. Instead, they are headed to Louisville to take on Kentucky in the opening game of their regional. Louisville, the host school, is set to meet Valparaiso in the second game of the regional. Here's the full schedule (all times Eastern and all games can be seen on ESPN2 and ESPN3):

Friday, May 18

Game 1: Michigan vs. Kentucky (4:30 p.m.)
Game 2: Louisville vs. Valparaiso (7 p.m.)

Saturday, May 19

Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner (1 p.m.)
Game 4: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser (3:30 p.m.)
Game 5: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 winner (6 p.m.)

Sunday, May 20

Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner (1 p.m.)
Game 7 (if necessary): Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser (3:30 p.m.)

You can check out the full 2012 NCAA softball tournament bracket right here.