SPOKANE, Wash. - Despite exemplary overall and regional records, and a strong strength of schedule, the Whitworth softball team was not extended an at-large bid to the 59-team NCAA Division III tournament, which will begin on Thursday.

The Pirates posted an overall record of 30-6 in 2007, setting a school record for victories in a season. Whitworth was 27-6 against the NCAA West Region and finished second in the Northwest Conference to 2nd-ranked Linfield by one game with a 25-3 record. In the final published regional rankings, the Bucs were rated fifth in the west.

"I am totally surprised by this," said Pirate head coach Fuzzy Buckenberger. "But we still take great satisfaction in our season. We set many records along the way and I am very proud of our players. I am sure they will recover from this disappointment and we will go forward to a great season in 2008."

Whitworth graduates only one starter from the 2007 season - First Team All-NWC catcher Lindsay Davis.

The Pirates received an at-large bid in 2006, even though the team finished the regular season with a record of 26-12 and a Northwest Conference mark of 21-7.

Of the 59 teams in the NCAA Division III field, 36 are granted automatic berths based on conference championships. Six other spots are reserved for independents and schools playing in conferences without an automatic bid. The final 17 positions are true at-large berths. Whitworth was not granted one of those 17 spots by the eight-member national softball committee.