Regional softball pairings

Listed below are the pairings for the first round of the regional softball tournament, which begins Tuesday.
Game time is 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Class 5A-Region 3 - Manatee (18-7) at Tampa Gaither (18-9)
Of note: Manatee is a regional qualifier for a second straight year and defeated Seminole Osceola on the road in the first round last season. Gaither, the fourth seed heading into the District 9 tournament, defeated Tampa Chamberlain in the semifinals and Tampa Sickles in the finals. Both teams beat Gaither twice during the regular season.
Class 4A-Region 3 - Tampa Jefferson (13-6) at Lakewood Ranch (23-3)
Of note: The Mustangs won their first district title in eight years and second overall and boast a two-pronged pitching attack in Brittany Kilduff and Huntyre Elling. The Dragons are in the regional playoffs for the first time in team history.
Class 4A-Region 3 - Braden River (18-8) at Tampa Steinbrenner
Of note: The Warriors won a district title in their first season. The Pirates are regional qualifiers for the fourth straight time.
Class 3A-Region 3 - Cardinal Mooney at Fort Myers Bishop Verot