Western Kentucky players celebrate Saturday, April 25, 2015, after their 3-1 win over Charlotte at WKU Softball Complex. (Bac Totrong/photo@bgdailynews.com)

The Western Kentucky softball team might’ve put itself in position to receive an at-large bid to an NCAA Regional, but the Lady Toppers aren’t banking on that.

Instead, WKU (31-12 overall, 16-5 Conference USA) will try to leave no doubt about a postseason berth by winning this week’s Conference USA Tournament in Miami as the No. 1 seed.

“I’ve been dreaming about winning conference tournament since the season started,” senior third baseman Preslie Cruce said. “I think we’re all excited. This is our main goal. We know we have to reach this one first to get to the next. It’s really important to me.”

WKU was 33rd in the latest NCAA RPI rankings released Monday, which would seem to put them in consideration for a spot in the 64-team field should they not get an automatic bid. They dropped two spots after taking 2 of 3 at Middle Tennessee last weekend in the regular-season finale.

But coach Amy Tudor said the Lady Tops will stay focused on the C-USA tourney, which is a single-elimination event running Thursday through Saturday.

WKU opens at 10 a.m. CDT Thursday against eighth-seeded Charlotte. After a bit of hesitation and a grin, Tudor confirmed star senior pitcher Miranda Kramer will get the start for every game of the tournament.

Kramer broke a league record by earning her eighth Conference USA Pitcher of the Week award on Monday.

“I think in every big game we’ve played, we’ve been in it,” Tudor said. “… We’re playing for the tournament. That’s what we can control, and that’s what we’re going to talk about – Charlotte, day one.”

— Zach Greenwell