Nov. 30, 2010

Schedule

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis head coach Windy Thees announced the release of the 2011 Tiger softball spring schedule on Tuesday. Memphis will play 13 teams that competed in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

The Tigers begin the year at the FIU Combat Classic in Miami, Fla., from Feb. 11-13. Memphis will open the 2011 season against North Florida at 10:00 a.m. before facing NCAA Tournament qualifier DePaul at 2:00 p.m. Three other NCAA Tournament participants highlight the tournament field with the Tigers facing Ohio State and FIU on Feb. 12 and Kentucky on Feb. 13.

Memphis will then travel to Atlanta, Ga., for the Panther Invitational. The Tigers open play against Appalachian State on Feb. 19 at 2:30 p.m. before battling host Georgia State at 4:45 p.m. Memphis will face NCAA Tournament participant Lipscomb at 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 20 followed by the consolation or championship game of the tournament at 2:30 or 4:45 p.m., respectively.

The 12-date home schedule opens on Feb. 23 with a double-header against Alabama State. First pitch for the home opener at Tiger Softball Complex is slated for 2:00 p.m.

Following the home opener, Memphis travels to Palo Alto, Calif., for the Stanford Nike Invitational from Feb. 25-27. The Tigers face a tournament field that features 2010 NCAA Tournament teams Kentucky, Stanford, North Dakota State and UC-Davis, as well as Colorado State.

Rounding out the tournament slate, Memphis travels to Starkville, Miss., for the Bulldog Classic. The Tigers face host Mississippi State at 3 p.m. on March 4 before facing NCAA Tournament qualifier Texas A&M at 10:00 a.m. on March 5. Memphis plays Mississippi Valley State at 12:00 p.m. on March 5 before closing tournament play against Mississippi State on March 6 at 1:00 p.m.

After a non-conference battle at North Carolina State on March 10, the Tigers open Conference USA play at reigning C-USA Champion and NCAA Tournament qualifier East Carolina. Memphis also travels to UTEP (March 26-27), Marshall (April 9-10) and Southern Miss (May 7-8) to round out the C-USA road schedule.

Memphis opens the home portion of the C-USA schedule with a double-header against Houston on March 19. Other home conference series will be played against Tulsa, UCF and UAB. East Carolina will host the C-USA Championship from May 12-14.