FOREST, Va. --- The ODAC Softball Tournament moves into its third season of its dual-weekend tournament format, but this will be the first time the league's traditional home for championship play is involved.

ODAC regular season champion and top seed Virginia Wesleyan University and second-seeded Bridgewater College lead a pair of four-team pods slated to be played at the newly renovated James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem. The regional-style competition - similar to that played in the early round of the Division III Tournament - will feature double-elimination competition before the two pod winners square off for the championship in a best-of-three series the following weekend at the highest remaining seed. The second weekend also follows the NCAA's super-regional setup.

Play in Salem will begin on Saturday evening, May 3, as the ODAC steps into the nationally-renowned four-field facility following the conclusion of the Mountain East Conference (MEC) tournament. All eight teams will feature on day one, with competition continuing on Sunday and Monday with a maximum of seven games for each pod.

The Marlins went 21-1 to top the league table and Pod #1, which will play the entirety of its games on Field 1 at Moyer. Joining VWU in that set will be fourth-seeded University of Lynchburg (15-7), fifth-seeded Shenandoah University (11-11), and eighth-seeded Averett University (8-14).

Bridgewater (18-4) is the only team to defeat Virginia Wesleyan in league play this season. The Eagles top Pod #2, which will see all of its games featured on Field 3. BC will be joined by third-seeded Randolph-Macon College (18-4), sixth-seeded Ferrum College (10-12), and seventh-seeded Roanoke College (10-12).

There was one tie in the ODAC table that impacted the conference tournament. Roanoke and Ferrum matched for the sixth seed. They split their regular season series, forcing the use of deeper tiebreaking procedures. Step two -- the ODAC Five-Point Tiebreaker -- resolved the stalemate with the Panthers earning 25 more points that the Maroons when comparing the entirety of their conference schedules and results. Ferrum will occupy sixth position, while Roanoke will play as the seventh seed.

Below is the schedule for the upcoming ODAC Softball Tournament. There is the potential for movement on both weekends. Stay tuned for any updates to the schedule and timing.

For more information on ODAC softball, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

OPENING WEEKEND | Saturday, May 3 | Pod Play at Moyer Complex Pod 1 on Field 1 | Pod 2 on Field 3
Pod 1 - Game 1	#8 Averett	vs.	#1 Virginia Wesleyan	5:00 p.m.
Pod 1 - Game 2	#5 Shenandoah	vs.	#4 Lynchburg	7:30 p.m.
Pod 2 - Game 1	#7 Roanoke	vs.	#2 Bridgewater	5:00 p.m.
Pod 2 - Game 2	#6 Ferrum	vs.	#3 Randolph-Macon	7:30 p.m.
OPENING WEEKEND | Sunday, May 4 | Pod Play at Moyer Complex Pod 1 on Field 1 | Pod 2 on Field 3
Game 3	Loser Game 1	vs.	Loser Game 2	11:00 a.m.
Game 4	Winner Game 1	vs.	Winner Game 2	2:00 p.m.
Game 5	Winner Game 3	vs.	Loser Game 4	5:00 p.m.
OPENING WEEKEND | Monday, May 5 | Pod Play at Moyer Complex Pod 1 on Field 1 | Pod 2 on Field 3
Game 6	Winner Game 4	vs.	Winner Game 5	12:00 p.m
Game 7 (if necessary)	Winner Game 6	vs.	Loser Game 6	30 mins. Post-G6
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES | Friday, May 9 | at Highest Remaining Seed
Game 1	Lower Seed	at	Higher Seed	TBD
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES | Saturday, May 10 | at Highest Remaining Seed
Game 2	Lower Seed	at	Higher Seed	TBD
Game 3 (if necessary)	Lower Seed	at	Higher Seed	TBD

* The ODAC and participating teams will consult graduation schedules and predicted weather conditions. Additional options for the best-of-3 championship series include a Thursday-Friday and Saturday-Sunday.