Softball Announces 2016 Schedule
Feb 10, 2016 | Softball
OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha softball team revealed its 2016 schedule Wednesday afternoon. The 57-game schedule provides several enticing games for the Mavericks, including matchups against six teams that advanced to the NCAA postseason. Three of those teams went on to the NCAA Super Regionals and one wound up being the national champions.
Omaha will kick-off its season away from the winter chill of Nebraska in Tucson, Ariz., for the Hillenbrand Invitational hosted by the University of Arizona from Feb. 12-14. The team will play UC Santa Barbara first, followed by North Texas, Purdue, No. 13 Arizona, and Southern Utah.
The Mavericks head to sunny Florida for the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic in Orlando from Feb. 19-21. UNO will open the tournament with No. 12 Georgia, before facing College of Charleston, Jacksonville State and Elon. Omaha will also square off against two-time defending national champion Florida.
UNO closes February with a trip to Montgomery, Alabama for the Black & Gold Tournament commencing on Friday, Feb. 26 against Akron and Eastern Kentucky. The Mavs also face Howard, Gardner-Webb, and tournament host Alabama State.
Omaha will also play tournaments in Ft. Collins, Colo., Lawrence, Kan., and Missoula, Mont.
The Mavs will play a non-conference double header against Northern Colorado on Mar.8, before playing a single game at Nebraska. The Huskers are receiving votes in the Preseason USA Today/NFCA Division I Softball Coaches Poll. UNO visits Iowa State for a single game on April 26 and UMKC for a double header on May 2.
Drake will visit Omaha for a double header on April 6, before Northern Iowa comes to town for a single game on April 26.
UNO will open Summit League play at home vs. IUPUI March 25-26. South Dakota State and South Dakota each will come to Omaha for a weekend series. The Mavs road series includes Fort Wayne, Western Illinois, and North Dakota State.
In total, Omaha will play 18 Summit League games. Last season the Mavericks went 6-10 in league play. The top four teams in the regular season standings will advance to the Summit League Tournament in Fargo, North Dakota May 11-14.
