Nov. 29, 2009
2010 Softball Schedule
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina softball team released their 2010 schedule, head coach Donna J. Papa announced Sunday. Carolina is coming off a 47-13 campaign and their eighth straight NCAA appearance. The Tar Heels also hosted their second straight NCAA Regional in 2009. The 2010 schedule will feature 12 NCAA tournament teams from a year ago, including four Super Regional teams and one 2009 WCWS participant.
The 2010 squad will open the season February 12 in the Time Warner Invitational in Austin, Texas against LSU. In addition to LSU, the strong tournament field features games against host Texas and 2009 NCAA tournament member DePaul.
"Our 2010 schedule is one that is very exciting and one that will test us early," head coach Donna J. Papa said. "We open in Austin, Texas against LSU, Texas and DePaul. All three teams have made Regional, Super Regional and College World Series appearances in the last few years."
Carolina will then open a lengthy home stand hosting the Carolina Classic and Tar Heel Invitational on consecutive weekends in the middle of February. The Carolina Classic will feature games against Delaware, St. Joseph's and in-state UNC Greensboro. The Tar Invitational the following weekend consists of contests against Fairfield, James Madison and Pittsburgh.
Carolina will round out their tournament schedule traveling to Fullerton, Calif. for the DeMarini Invitational March 5-7. Previously known as the Worth Invitational, the field features five 2009 NCAA Tournament teams - highlighted by 2009 WCWS participant Florida. Carolina will play five games over three days against the likes of Northwestern, Indiana, Pacific, Stanford and Loyola-Marymount.
"Additionally, we will face Stanford, UCLA and Northwestern of the Pac 10 and Big Ten respectively. They too have similar resumes and successes in years past," Papa added.
The Tar Heels will extend their stay in California, over the university's spring break, challenging Cal State Fullerton Tuesday March 9 and UCLA Wednesday March 10, both were 2009 NCAA tournament teams.
UNC will play four of their seven conference series on the road in 2010. Carolina opens conference play in Tallahassee, Fla. against Florida State (March 13-14). The rest of the road conference schedule features games at Virginia (April 2-3), at Boston College (April 10-11) and at Virginia Tech (April 24-25).
"Our always challenging ACC schedule solidifies an outstanding schedule that will allow us to continue to grow our program and take it to the next level," Papa said of the ACC slate.
Carolina will host three conference series against rival N.C. State (March 27-28) and Maryland (April 17-18). The Tar Heels home conference slate is highlighted with a match-up against reigning ACC champions Georgia Tech (March 20-21). Carolina posted a strong home field advantage in 2009 winning 29 games in Anderson Stadium.
The Tar Heels will play a slew of midweek contests that features a pair of twinbills against two 2009 NCAA tournament teams in Radford (March 2) and Campbell (March 31). The Heels will also host UNC-Wilmington (Feb. 24), South Carolina (March 30), Winthrop (April 7) and Appalachian State (April 20). UNC's midweek schedule will feature six games on the road starting at Elon (March 17), at UNC Greensboro (March 18), at UNC Charlotte (March 23) and at Longwood (April 14).
After playing their final ACC series at Virginia Tech (April 24 & 25), Carolina will break for exams, but will then return to Blacksburg, Va. for the conference tournament May 14-16. The 2010 NCAA tournament will begin April 20th at campus sites and conclude with the WCWS starting June 3 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
