Photo by: Matt Osborne
Aggies Announce 2018 Schedule
Oct 11, 2017 | Softball
COLLEGE STATION – Coming off the Aggies' 8th appearance in the NCAA Women's College World Series, Texas A&M softball head coach Jo Evans announced the upcoming slate for the 2018 campaign, highlighted by four home non-conference tournaments and 35 games against teams that made the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
"I am really excited that we have so many home tournaments," Evans said. "The competition is fierce. We have 35 games against teams that went to the tournament. It is a challenging non-conference and conference schedule. It will be tougher than our schedule last year and we are going to get tested early and often and that is good. We want to be tested. We've got a lot of returners and I am excited to see how they come together as a team. We have a good mix of youngsters and upperclassmen. This is going to be a year where the schedule challenges us. We will be able to play some younger players and get them some experience."
Texas A&M opens SEC play with Ole Miss at home March 9-11 and host conference series with South Carolina (March 30-April 1), Kentucky (April 13-15) and Auburn (April 27-29).
On the road, the Aggies face Florida (March 24-26), Mississippi State (April 6-8), LSU (April 20-22) and Alabama (May 4-6) in SEC play.
The Aggies open the season with the Aggie Classic Feb. 9-11, which features Boston College, Houston and Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are led by Adrian Gregory, who was a two-year captain for Texas A&M and earned All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2004, while the Cougars are coached by Texas A&M All-Americans, Megan Gibson-Loftin and Cassie Tysarczyk.
Following a midweek game with Stephen F. Austin (Feb. 14), Texas A&M welcomes Butler, Iowa and Tulsa to Aggieland for the Texas A&M Invitational Feb. 16-18.
The Maroon & White square off with Lamar on Feb. 20 before heading to Palm Springs, Calif., for the Mary Nutter Classic. The Aggies look to extend their 17-game winning streak at the tournament against Notre Dame and Nebraska on Feb. 22, Oregon and California, on Feb. 23 and Washington on Feb. 24. Last season, the Aggies finished 5-0 at the Mary Nutter Classic with wins over No. 1 Florida State, No. 14 Michigan, No. 21 Arizona State and No. 23 BYU.
"We're going to play two teams who played in the College World Series along with California and Notre Dame, who went to the postseason, and Nebraska who's been a strong program forever," said Evans. "It's going to be a big challenge, but it's good. It will be the first time that we go on the road and really the only time we're on the road in preseason. It gives us a chance to play great teams and to be challenged. It's going to give our pitchers the opportunity to throw against some really great hitters and to see what it feels like to have to compete basically in the College World Series the third weekend of the season. I think it's going to be a big challenge, but it's important for us to play strong teams and have that experience. It should be a great tournament as always."
The Aggies return home on Feb. 28 for a doubleheader with Sam Houston State and host the A&M Invite March 2-4, featuring Louisiana Tech, Texas State and Utah. Evans and Associate Head Coach Joy Jackson square off against their alma mater for the 11th time and hold a perfect 10-0 record against the Utes.
"I love my alma mater," Evans continued. "I had a terrific experience as a player and as a coach. I spent 12 years of my softball life at the University of Utah, and I couldn't be more proud of Amy Hogue. She was one of my players and one of my top recruits. She played in two College World Series when I was there and to see what she's done with the program and how they've competed in the Pac-12, I'm proud of her and the program in general. It'll be fun to host the Utes here at home."
Texas A&M hosts Penn State on March 6 and Incarnate Word for a doubleheader on March 7 for its final midweek games of the season.
During the Aggies' bye week in conference play, March 16-18, Texas A&M hosts Marist, Michigan State and UConn for the Reveille Classic.
The SEC Tournament begins May 9 in Columbia, Mo., with NCAA Regionals scheduled to take place at campus sites May 18-20, followed by NCAA Super Regionals on May 24-27.
The Women's College World Series runs from May 31- June 6 at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium - OGE Energy Field in Oklahoma City.
Season ticket information for the 2018 season can be found online at www.12thMan.com/tickets or by calling 888-992-4443.
To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.
2018 Texas A&M Softball Schedule
Feb. 9-11 – Aggie Classic (Boston College, Houston, Texas Tech)
Feb. 14 – Stephen F. Austin
Feb. 16-18 – Texas A&M Invitational (Butler, Iowa, Tulsa)
Feb. 20 – Lamar
Feb. 22-25 – at Mary Nutter Classic (California, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, Washington)
Feb. 28 – Sam Houston State (DH)
Mar. 2-4 – A&M Invite (Louisiana Tech, Texas State, Utah)
Mar. 6 – Penn State
Mar. 7 – Incarnate Word (DH)
Mar. 9-11 – Ole Miss
Mar. 16-18 – Reveille Classic (Marist, Michigan State, UConn)
Mar. 23-25 – at Florida
Mar. 30-Apr. 1 – South Carolina
Apr. 6-8 – at Mississippi State
Apr. 13-15 – Kentucky
Apr. 20-22 – at LSU
Apr. 27-29 – Auburn
May 4-6 – at Alabama
May 9-12 –SEC Tournament (Columbia, Mo.)
May 18-20 – NCAA Regionals (Campus Sites)
May 24-27 – NCAA Super Regionals (Campus Sites)
May 31-June 6 – Women's College World Series (Oklahoma City)
"I am really excited that we have so many home tournaments," Evans said. "The competition is fierce. We have 35 games against teams that went to the tournament. It is a challenging non-conference and conference schedule. It will be tougher than our schedule last year and we are going to get tested early and often and that is good. We want to be tested. We've got a lot of returners and I am excited to see how they come together as a team. We have a good mix of youngsters and upperclassmen. This is going to be a year where the schedule challenges us. We will be able to play some younger players and get them some experience."
Texas A&M opens SEC play with Ole Miss at home March 9-11 and host conference series with South Carolina (March 30-April 1), Kentucky (April 13-15) and Auburn (April 27-29).
On the road, the Aggies face Florida (March 24-26), Mississippi State (April 6-8), LSU (April 20-22) and Alabama (May 4-6) in SEC play.
The Aggies open the season with the Aggie Classic Feb. 9-11, which features Boston College, Houston and Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are led by Adrian Gregory, who was a two-year captain for Texas A&M and earned All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2004, while the Cougars are coached by Texas A&M All-Americans, Megan Gibson-Loftin and Cassie Tysarczyk.
Following a midweek game with Stephen F. Austin (Feb. 14), Texas A&M welcomes Butler, Iowa and Tulsa to Aggieland for the Texas A&M Invitational Feb. 16-18.
The Maroon & White square off with Lamar on Feb. 20 before heading to Palm Springs, Calif., for the Mary Nutter Classic. The Aggies look to extend their 17-game winning streak at the tournament against Notre Dame and Nebraska on Feb. 22, Oregon and California, on Feb. 23 and Washington on Feb. 24. Last season, the Aggies finished 5-0 at the Mary Nutter Classic with wins over No. 1 Florida State, No. 14 Michigan, No. 21 Arizona State and No. 23 BYU.
"We're going to play two teams who played in the College World Series along with California and Notre Dame, who went to the postseason, and Nebraska who's been a strong program forever," said Evans. "It's going to be a big challenge, but it's good. It will be the first time that we go on the road and really the only time we're on the road in preseason. It gives us a chance to play great teams and to be challenged. It's going to give our pitchers the opportunity to throw against some really great hitters and to see what it feels like to have to compete basically in the College World Series the third weekend of the season. I think it's going to be a big challenge, but it's important for us to play strong teams and have that experience. It should be a great tournament as always."
The Aggies return home on Feb. 28 for a doubleheader with Sam Houston State and host the A&M Invite March 2-4, featuring Louisiana Tech, Texas State and Utah. Evans and Associate Head Coach Joy Jackson square off against their alma mater for the 11th time and hold a perfect 10-0 record against the Utes.
"I love my alma mater," Evans continued. "I had a terrific experience as a player and as a coach. I spent 12 years of my softball life at the University of Utah, and I couldn't be more proud of Amy Hogue. She was one of my players and one of my top recruits. She played in two College World Series when I was there and to see what she's done with the program and how they've competed in the Pac-12, I'm proud of her and the program in general. It'll be fun to host the Utes here at home."
Texas A&M hosts Penn State on March 6 and Incarnate Word for a doubleheader on March 7 for its final midweek games of the season.
During the Aggies' bye week in conference play, March 16-18, Texas A&M hosts Marist, Michigan State and UConn for the Reveille Classic.
The SEC Tournament begins May 9 in Columbia, Mo., with NCAA Regionals scheduled to take place at campus sites May 18-20, followed by NCAA Super Regionals on May 24-27.
The Women's College World Series runs from May 31- June 6 at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium - OGE Energy Field in Oklahoma City.
Season ticket information for the 2018 season can be found online at www.12thMan.com/tickets or by calling 888-992-4443.
To learn more about Texas A&M softball, log on to 12thMan.com or follow @AggieSoftball on Twitter.
2018 Texas A&M Softball Schedule
Feb. 9-11 – Aggie Classic (Boston College, Houston, Texas Tech)
Feb. 14 – Stephen F. Austin
Feb. 16-18 – Texas A&M Invitational (Butler, Iowa, Tulsa)
Feb. 20 – Lamar
Feb. 22-25 – at Mary Nutter Classic (California, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oregon, Washington)
Feb. 28 – Sam Houston State (DH)
Mar. 2-4 – A&M Invite (Louisiana Tech, Texas State, Utah)
Mar. 6 – Penn State
Mar. 7 – Incarnate Word (DH)
Mar. 9-11 – Ole Miss
Mar. 16-18 – Reveille Classic (Marist, Michigan State, UConn)
Mar. 23-25 – at Florida
Mar. 30-Apr. 1 – South Carolina
Apr. 6-8 – at Mississippi State
Apr. 13-15 – Kentucky
Apr. 20-22 – at LSU
Apr. 27-29 – Auburn
May 4-6 – at Alabama
May 9-12 –SEC Tournament (Columbia, Mo.)
May 18-20 – NCAA Regionals (Campus Sites)
May 24-27 – NCAA Super Regionals (Campus Sites)
May 31-June 6 – Women's College World Series (Oklahoma City)
Georgia Preview: Trisha Ford, KK Dement, Kennedy Powell
Tuesday, March 31
Texas Postgame: Trisha Ford, Micaela Wark, Kate Munnerlyn
Sunday, March 29
Highlights: A&M 9, Texas 7
Sunday, March 29
Highlights: Texas 3, A&M 2
Saturday, March 28
