NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – The Little East Conference will be well represented in the 2008 NCAA Division III Tournament as the NCAA Division III Selection Committee awarded the conference three bids into the 59-team field, according to the tournament pairings released this morning. Rhode Island College captured the automatic berth by winning the Little East Conference Championship Tournament, while Eastern Connecticut State University and Western Connecticut State University earned two of the 18 national at-large bids.

The New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) join the Little East Conference with three berths in the national field.

Rhode Island College hosts a seven-team, four-day, double-elimination regional at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex beginning on May 8. The Anchorwomen (33-7) sat atop the final NCAA Division III New England Region rankings entering the 2008 Little East Conference Softball Championship Tournament. Under the guidance of Head Coach Maria Morin, Rhode Island College solidified its top ranking by boasting a 4-0 mark in the conference tournament. Morin led her charges to the program’s third consecutive conference tournament championship and third straight appearance in the national tournament. In eight NCAA Tournament games, the Anchorwomen sport a 6-2 record, including winning the 2007 New England Regional Championship and advancing to the National Championship Round. Rhode Island College earned a bye in the quarterfinal round of the Providence, Rhode Island Regional, and a wait the winner between fourth-seeded Wellesley College (27-9-1) and fifth-seeded Lesley College (30-10).

Eastern Connecticut State University (26-12) was awarded the program’s 15 berth into the national draw, and first since 1998. The Warriors are seeded fifth in the Plattsburgh, N.Y. bracket and face SUNYAC Champion, Cortland State, in the first round at 10 a.m. on May 8. Under the direction of Head Coach Diana Pepin, Eastern Connecticut claimed a share of the Little East Conference Regular Season Championship and earned the top seed in the conference tournament. The Warriors were the consolation finalists after being edged by Keene State College in extra innings in the consolation bracket. Eastern Connecticut has won the national championship three times in the program’s history, most recently in 1990.

Western Connecticut State University (28-13) earned the program’s ninth NCAA Tournament berth, and first under Head Coach Heather Stone. The Colonials received the fifth seed in the Glassboro, N.J. regional and will square off against fourth-seeded Kean at 10 a.m. on May 8. The Cougars (30-14) also claimed an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament after losing in the championship game of the NJAC Conference Tournament. Western Connecticut entered the Little East Conference Softball Championship Tournament as the No. 3 seed in the New England Region. The Colonials dropped a pair of contests in the conference tournament, but the strength of 28 victories, including 10 wins in the most competitive conference in New England, highlighted Western Connecticut’s impressive resume.

The winners of the eight regionals advance to the NCAA National Championship Round, hosted by the city of Salem, Virginia and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The championship round will be held May 16-20 at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex.