University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Softball Announces 2011 Schedule
9/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 7, 2010
PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh Head Softball Coach Holly Aprile announced the 2011 schedule this week. The Panthers play eight fall ball games in September, and will resume action in February with five tournaments in just over a month’s time.
As Pitt has done the last several years, the season opens in Florida in both the Florida International Blue and Gold Tournament (Miami, Fla.) and the Florida Atlantic Tournament (Boca Raton, Fla.). Pitt’s first game of the 2011 season is slated for 3 p.m. against Providence on Feb. 18.
The Panthers will face Florida International during the opening weekend. The Golden Panthers are coming off a record-breaking season, where they earned votes in the final 2010 ESPN.com/USA Softball and USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll.
Following the two weekend tournaments in Florida, the Panthers travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the LSU Purple and Gold Challenge. Pitt faces last year’s top 25 opponents Texas, host LSU and Hofstra, along with other opponents to be announced during the three-day classic.
After a short break, Pitt returns to action March 11-13 in the ETSU Tournament, held in Johnson City, Tenn. The Panthers will move closer to home on March 18, when they travel to Botetourt, Va. for the Radford Invitational.
On March 22, Pitt travels to nearby Robert Morris for a 3 p.m. doubleheader. Big East action then starts on March 26 in South Orange, N.J. Last season, four Big East opponents earned seeds in the NCAA Softball Championships. Syracuse, who won the 2010 Big East title, was joined by Notre Dame, Louisville and DePaul, who were all ranked in both coaches’ polls during the year.
Then, the highly anticipated opening of the Petersen Sports Complex will be held on March 29, as the Panthers host Penn State in a 3 p.m. doubleheader.
During its break in Big East play, Pitt also faces 2010 NCAA Regional participant Ohio State on April 6 in a 4 p.m. doubleheader.
Conference play resumes on April 9 when Pitt hosts the Cardinals in a three-game series. The Panthers close out the regular-season with a three-game series against Villanova on May 7-8 at the Petersen Sports Complex.
The Big East Tournament will be held in Louisville, Ky. on May 12-14.
Pitt returns 15 letterwinners from the 2010 season, including All-Big East pitcher Cory Berliner. Check www.pittsburghpanthers.com for updates and promotions during the season.
