Michigan State's softball season continues in NISC

Michigan State's softball season is still alive.

The Spartans, who won two Big Ten tournament games before losing a one-run game to Ohio State in the semifinals, will play Murray State (35-18) in the inaugural National Invitational Softball Championships at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Illinois State in Normal, Ill. IUPUI (23-29) plays Illinois State (30-21) in Tuesday's other regional game at 7 p.m.

The winners of each game meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday; the losers square off at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the double-elimination regional.

MSU received an automatic bid being from the Big Ten.

Jacquie Joseph's team enters the tournament on the Spartans' productive seasons in 10 years. The team's 31 wins are the most since 2007 (33-26).

"We have grown considerably as a team not just over the last few years, but also as the season unfolded," Joseph said in a statement. "The opportunity for us to play in the Big Ten Championship last weekend was one that our players had not experienced yet in their careers. It's a step forward. Playing for another championship this season is another goal for us to work toward and another opportunity to get better over the next two weeks.

"This group has faced adversity and met the challenges this season, and I'm thrilled that we get to extend our season. We're looking forward to getting right back to work."

Winners from double-elimination regional play advance to a six-team, double elimination championship round May 21-24 at a site yet to be determined.

Illinois State region schedule

Tuesday

Game 1

Illinois State vs. IUPUI, 7 p.m.

Game 2

Michigan State vs. Murray State, 4 p.m.

Wednesday

Game 3

Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 1 p.m.

Game 4

Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 4 p.m.

Game 5

Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 7 p.m.

Thursday

Game 6

Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, noon

Game 7*

Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser, 3 p.m.

*- if necessary