The University of Akron Athletics
Softball Releases 2012 Schedule
December 06 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron softball program and head coach Julie Jones have released the 2012 schedule, featuring five tournaments and four home weekends in Mid-American Conference play. This fall, the Zips welcomed eight newcomers to the squad that hope to build upon the 24-24 record of 2011.
"I am excited to get this team on the field in February," said Coach Jones. "We had a solid fall both competitively and in practices. Our 2012 schedule takes us to back to familiar places like College of Charleston, one of our favorites and a place where we play very well. We will return to Virginia after a few years' hiatus, but we look forward to the competition that George Mason will provide. A big addition to this year's schedule is a trip to Sacramento. I promised our California kids that we would head west during their tenure, so we will get to enjoy some California sunshine at the Capital Classic at Sacramento State. Our preseason schedule should prepare us well to battle in the MAC in April and May. We hope to build momentum as we travel through our five early season trips and hit the MAC running with confidence and a strong foundation of solid play."
Like last year, the Zips will open the season Feb. 10-12 at the Southeast Louisiana Lion Classic with a slate of five games in Hammond, La. The following weekend, they will head back to the College of Charleston Cougar Classic in South Carolina for five more contests. The month of March will see Akron at the George Mason Invitational for four games before the annual trip to the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. UA will play eight games March 9-12 in the warm Florida weather and then fly across the country for the Sacramento State Invitational March 17-18.
After wrapping up the early-season tournaments, the Zips have a doubleheader at Dayton on March 25 before opening the home schedule on March 27 against Youngstown State. MAC action then begins on March 30 with Toledo and Bowling Green in town for the weekend. Niagara will visit Lee Jackson Field on April 3, and the Zips will hit the road for games at Miami (Ohio) and Ball State April 6-8. After a midweek trip to St. Francis (Pa.), Ohio will be in Akron for a weekend series April 14-15. Akron will then return to Pennsylvania on April 17 to play two with Robert Morris.
The weekend of April 20-22, defending MAC champion Western Michigan comes to town, along with Northern Illinois. The Zips then make the final road trip of the season to Eastern and Central Michigan April 27-29. On the final weekend of conference play, rival Kent State and Buffalo are on tap May 4-6. The MAC Tournament will begin on May 9 at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
