KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has officially released the pool play schedule for the 30th Annual NAIA Softball National Championship, May 20-26, in Decatur, Ala.

There are eight, four-team pools. Mount Mercy (36-9) is in Pool E with fifth-ranked California State-San Marcos (35-13), 13th-ranked William Carey (Miss.) (39-13), and Union (Ky.) (20-16). Mount Mercy was 26th in the final NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll, while Union was also receiving votes.

The Mustangs open the national tournament against William Carey on Thursday, May 20, at 11:30 a.m. They face California State-San Marcos on Friday, May 21, at 1:00 p.m., then wrap up pool play with Union on Saturday, May 22, at 10:30 a.m. All games will be played at the Wilson Morgan Softball Complex. The eight pool play winners advance to a double-elimination round beginning Monday, May 24.

Mount Mercy, the Midwest Collegiate Conference regular season champion, qualified for nationals by winning the MCC Tournament. It's their fourth national tournament appearance and first since 1990. California State-San Marcos is making its first appearance at nationals as the Association of Independent Institutions Tournament champion.

It's also the first national tournament berth for Union, which won the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament. William Carey qualified for nationals for the third time by winning the Gulf Coast/Sunrise Tournament championship. It's their second straight trip to the national tournament.

The eight pool play winners advance to a double-elimination round beginning Monday, May 24. The winner of Mount Mercy's Pool E will take on the Pool D winner on May 24 at 10:00 a.m. For more information, check out the NAIA's softball national championship page at http://naia.cstv.com/sports/w-softbl/2010Championship.html.