University of Massachusets Athletics
Softball Releases 2007 Schedule
January 09, 2007 | Softball
Jan. 9, 2007
AMHERST, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts head softball coach Elaine Sortino has released the 2007 schedule. The Minutewomen will play at least 13 teams from last year's NCAA Tournament and potentially several others in the various early season tournaments. UMass opens up the 2007 campaign in San Diego, Calif., Feb. 9-11 against five teams from last year's NCAA Tournament. The Minutewomen finished 2006 41-16 and advanced to the school's first-ever Super Regional where they took eventual national runner-up Northwestern to a decisive third game. UMass finished the season ranked No. 24 in the NFCA top 25 poll.
"Once again, we have really challenged ourselves in the non-conference with some of the top teams in the nation," said Sortino. "The Atlantic 10 is as strong as it has ever been this year and we feel that this schedule against at least 13 teams from last year's NCAA Tournament will prepare us for it. I think we have a great mix of returning talent and newcomers who will be up to the task of this schedule and we will be in good shape when we start our conference season."
For the second straight year, the Minutewomen open up the season in San Diego, Calif., Feb. 9-11 UMass will play five 2006 NCAA Tournament teams in Cal-Santa Barbara, Oregon State, California, San Diego State and Kansas. Oregon State advanced to the Women's College World Series last year, while it and California finished the year ranked in the top 10.
After a week off, the Minutewomen will participate in the prestigious NFCA Leadoff Classic, Feb. 23-25, in Columbus, Ga. This tournament annually matches up teams from last year's NCAA Tournament. UMass will play Baylor, Florida, Georgia Tech and DePaul in pool play.
After another week off, the Minutewomen will make back-to-back trips to the Sunshine State of Florida. First, they will compete in the USF adidas Invitational, March 8-11, in Clearwater, Fla. UMass advanced to the championship game of this tournament last year against Tennessee. The Minutewomen are set to face Indiana, Tennessee Tech, Georgia Tech, Illinois-Chicago and Northern Illinois in pool play. Indiana, Tennessee Tech and Georgia Tech each played in the 2006 NCAA Tournament.
The Minutewomen then head to the east coast of Florida for the FAU Parent's Weekend Tournament, March 16-18, in Boca Raton. They are set to play Rutgers, Quinnipiac, Michigan State and Texas A&M in pool play. UMass will stay in Boca Raton and play a doubleheader against Florida Atlantic on Monday, March 19.
The Minutewomen's home opener will also be the A-10 opener when St. Bonaventure visits the UMass Softball Complex for a doubleheader on Sunday, March 25. UMass will play just six games at home until the final two weeks of the season when they close out with a nine-game homestand.
Massachusetts will host the 2007 Atlantic 10 Tournament, May 9-12, at the UMass Softball Complex. For the first time, there will be six teams competing in this four-day event for the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. Many games this season, both home and away, will be broadcast online at www.umassathletics.com. This includes all games from the first tournament in San Diego. Please check www.umassathletics.com for updated broadcast information and schedule changes as they become available.