The Misericordia University softball team will open the MAC Freedom Championships, Thursday at Delaware Valley University.
 
The Cougars, 23-11, are the top seed in the five-team, double-elimination tournament for the third straight year.
 
Misericordia will face the Arcadia, Friday at 2:00.  The winner will advance to the winner's bracket final while the loser will play an elimination game, Saturday morning.  Arcadia beat Stevens in the opening game, 5-3. King's plays Lycoming in the other first-round game at noon. 
 
MU split a doubleheader with Arcadia during the regular season.
 
Kaitlin Redling was fifth in the MAC Freedom in batting (.432) and led the league in slugging (.800) and on-base % (.526).  She is second in the league with eight homers, third with 33 RBI and fourth in doubles with 11.
 
Nicole Elliott was third in the league with 31 runs scored and fifth in homers (5).
 
Gianna Foreman is seventh in on-base % (.455) and ninth in slugging % (.568).
 
Alexa McHugh led the league with a 1.14 earned run average and was second with 105 strikeouts.