Kankakee, Madison, Rock Valley continue title hunt at national tournaments

Three teams will represent Region IV when they begin pursuit of a national championship this week, including one program looking to make some history. Kankakee Community College and Madison College both take the field in Clinton, Mississippi, on Wednesday, May 22 at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, while five-time defending champion Rock Valley College will attempt to become the first program to ever win six consecutive national crowns in softball at the NJCAA Division III National Tournament in Rochester, Minnesota, starting Thursday, May 23.

Rock Valley College has been the #1-ranked team in the nation since 2015 and will be the #1 seed when they open against #8 Suffolk County Community College (NY) at 10:00 a.m. Thursday. The Golden Eagles are 52-12, winning 50 games for the second consecutive season. They swept a best-of-three series over Schoolcraft College (MI) to qualify as the NJCAA District G Champions, and are winners of 13 of their last 16 after seeing a 21-game streak come to an end in late-April. The Sharks are 18-14 and making their fourth consecutive appearance at the national tournament. The winner advances to play a quarterfinal game Thursday at 2:00 p.m.

Madison College returns to the national stage for the second straight year - and second time in program history - after finishing sixth in the nation in 2018. The WolfPack went 41-10 and earned the #8 seed, which brings a opening round matchup against #9 Johnson County Community College (KS) at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The 'Pack has won 13 straight games. The Cavaliers are 24-12 and are in the field for the 21st time. The winner advances to play Thursday at 3:30 p.m., while the loser plays that day at 1:30 p.m.

Kankakee Community College is enjoying one of the more impressive runs in NJCAA history as it is the 20th consecutive appearance for the Cavaliers at the national tournament. The tournament's #13 seed boasts a 32-18-1 record and are riding a nine-game win streak. Kankakee draws an opening round matchup against #4 Highland Community College (KS). The Scotties are 33-10 and are making a seventh appearance in Mississippi. They will square off Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. with the winner to play again Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and the loser re-takes the field the Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

To watch the games, visit NJCAATV.