The second-ranked Kirkwood softball team will be riding a bus all the way to Montana this week for the district tournament.

Kirkwood (52-4) will face Dawson (23-10) on Dawson's home field in Glendive, Mont., on Thursday in the best-of-3 series.

Kirkwood and Dawson will play two games on Thursday. A third game, if necessary, would be played Friday.

The district champion advances to the NJCAA Division II national tournament in Clinton, Miss., May 17-20.

Kirkwood topped Dawson in the district tournament last year at Kirkwood, 10-2 and 15-3, with both games lasting only five innings.