Sept. 23, 2008
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Eleven NCAA Tournament teams, one team that joined the Texas A&M softball team at the Women's College World Series and 28 home games highlight the 2009 Aggie softball schedule, head coach Jo Evans announced Tuesday.
In another ambitious schedule, A&M is slated to play 20 games against teams that competed in the NCAA Tournament in 2008, including three squads that advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals.
"We are excited about our 2009 schedule," said Evans. "We have a great non-conference slate which features three home tournaments and a three-game series against the University of Arizona. We have the finest fans in the country and they will have the opportunity to watch some of the best teams in the nation compete at our stadium. We had a great following last year after competing for a national championship and we expect our fans to carry that support and enthusiasm into this season."
The defending Big 12 Champions open regular season play with the first of three home tournaments Feb. 6-8. After a trip to Baton Rouge, La., for the Easton Tiger Classic (Feb. 13-15), A&M hosts the eight-time national champion Arizona Wildcats for a three-game series Feb. 20-22.
A&M remains in College Station for its next two early season invitationals. The Ags' competition is highlighted by NCAA Tournament teams Louisiana Tech (Feb. 27-March 1) and Stephen F. Austin and Kent State (March 6-8).
In between hosting back-to-back tournaments, Aggie softball faces Houston on the road in a doubleheader on March 4. The Cougars made it to the NCAA Super Regional in '08.
A&M travels to Boca Raton, Fla., March 13-15 for its final non-conference weekend. The Aggies faces host Florida Atlantic, Bethune Cookman, Liberty and regional-qualifier Purdue.
Texas A&M opens Big 12 play March 21-22 at home against Nebraska. The Aggies host Texas (April 1), Oklahoma State (April 8), Texas Tech (April 10-11), Baylor (April 15) and Iowa State (April 25-26)
The Aggies travel to conference schools Baylor (March 25), Kansas (March 28-29), Missouri (April 4-5), Oklahoma (April 18-19) and Texas (April 29). The Tigers, Sooners and Longhorns each made the NCAA Tournament last season.
The Big 12 Championships are May 8-10 at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. The NCAA Tournament schedule commences May 15-17 with NCAA Regionals to be held at campus sites. The WCWS is May 28-June 3 in Oklahoma City.
Following its second-consecutive trip to the WCWS, a program-best 57 wins, and a national runner-up finish, the 2009 version of Aggie softball returns 10 letterwinners and welcomes five newcomers.
A&M opens its fall season against Temple Junior College at the Aggie Softball Complex on Sept. 30.