May 18, 2009

Columbia, Mo. - Less than 24 hours removed from winning its second consecutive NCAA Regional title, the 11th-ranked Missouri softball team has learned it will travel to Los Angeles, Calif., for a best-of-three NCAA Super Regional series against second ranked UCLA beginning Saturday, May 23, at 8:30 p.m. (CT). First pitch of game two is slated for 2:30 p.m. (CT), Sunday, May 24, with the third, if necessary game, set for 4:30 p.m. (CT) Sunday afternoon. All three games will be televised live on ESPNU.

Missouri and UCLA have met 10 times since 1979, most recently squaring off March 1, 2009, at the San Diego Classic. The Bruins, ranked as high as third at the time, walked away with the 2-1 win. To date, UCLA owns the 10-0 advantage over the Tigers.

The Tigers last traveled to Los Angeles for the 2004 NCAA Regionals. Then an eight team setup, the Tigers never met with the Bruins in what was then Missouri's eighth regional appearance.

Of the 10 meetings between Missouri and UCLA, five have been played on neutral ground, with five held in LA. The two squads have met on three previous occasions in NCAA post season play, first in 1983 at the Women's College World Series held in Omaha, Neb. In 1991 the programs again battled for World Series bragging rights in Oklahoma City, Okla., and in 1999, the Bruins put an end to Missouri's regional hopes with a 12-5 win in Los Angeles.

Tickets are available and can be purchased at UCLA's Central Ticket Office or by calling 310-UCLA-WIN, or at the gates of Easton Stadium on game day. Two-day passes for the Los Angeles Super Regional are $22 for adults and $15 for students. Single-day passes are $12 for adults and $8 for adults. All seating is general admission, first-come, first served. Ticket booths and gates will open 90 minutes prior to the first game that day.