Sam Houston State's Bearkat Softball Complex will host the 2011 Southland Conference tournament Thursday through Saturday May 12-14.

The event will mark the second time in the last five years at Sam Houston has hosted the event. The Bearkats earned their first NCAA Division I national tournament berth in 2007 when SHSU won the tournament crown in Huntsville.

The Kats defeated Texas State 1-0 in the final game after rolling up victories over McNeese State, UTSA and UT-Arlington. Sam Houston went on to defeat Louisiana-Lafayette in the NCAA regionals in College Station before falling to Texas A&M.

The top six teams in the final 2011 regular season standings each will earn a berth in the tournament.

Ticket prices for the event will be announced at a future date.

Tentative schedule for the 2011 Southland Conference softball tournament:

Thursday, May 12

Game 1 - No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed - 11 a.m.
Game 2 - No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed - 1:30 p.m.
Game 3 - No. 1 seed vs. Game 1 winner - 4 p.m.
Game 4 - No. 2 seed vs. Game 2 winner - 6:30 p.m.

Friday, May 13

Game 5 - Game 1 loser vs. Game 3 loser - 11 a.m.
Game 6 - Game 2 loser vs. Game 4 loser - 1:30 p.m.
Game 7 - Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner - 4 p.m.
Game 8 - Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner - 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 14

Game 9 - Game 7 loser vs. Game 8 winner - 11 a.m.
Game 10 - Game 7 winner vs. Game 9 winner - 1:30 p.m.
Game 11 - If necessary - 4 p.m.