In Week #2, the voters have again given us a battle of Top 10 teams from 2010 - as well as a matchup of original 115 teams (Until it catches on, that's the number of teams in the League when it formed in 2006). 

Texas Republic, coming off a 2009 year of perfection, returned to the Championship game last year only to be beaten handily by the Liberty Square Sliders, 28-15.  They were the first to return to the Championship game since Potomac Fever, but failed to pull off a League first - winning two titles.  In order to make that happen this season, they will need to pull off another League first - be the first team to lose a Championship game and win it the next season.  Their recent string of success would indicate that's a feat not outside their grasp - as they were the first League team to go undefeated back in 2009.

On the other side of this matchup we also have a first - Big in Japan finally exorcised some tournament demons by winning their first tournament game last year and advancing to the Sweet 16 after four straight years of first round exits.

They are looking to build on the success and make a run at Day #2 of the tournament at least - especially given they have been a Top 15 team the last three years.  Age rarely factors in softball, but they are hoping the window isn't closing on them to break through and establish themselves as an elite League team.

While Texas Republic easily dispatched their first opponents - a new League team, the Campers - Big In Japan had some real difficulty with another new arrival to the League - Black Label.  Perhaps they were overlooking them in anticipation of this big matchup. 

Japan does have history on their side - they lead the all-time series 2-1, but haven't played since 2008.  This rivalry gets renewed on Thursday night.