DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Announce 2011 Softball Schedule
11/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
Nov. 10, 2010
CHICAGO - DePaul's tradition-rich softball program has a history of taking on the nation's best, and that will certainly be the case once again in 2011.
Highlighting the Blue Demons' 2011 schedule is the formidable Judi Garman Classic March 16-20 in Fullerton, Calif. where DePaul will confront NCAA Championship runner-up Arizona along with NCAA tournament powers Texas and Oklahoma.
In addition, DePaul will also face talented Long Beach State and New Mexico at the Judi Garman Classic.
"Last year's was the toughest schedule in our history, and 2011 promises to be every bit as challenging," said DePaul softball coach Eugene Lenti. "The Judi Garman is always the biggest challenge of the year."
DePaul, which went 39-18 overall last season and claimed the BIG EAST Conference regular-season title with an 18-3 record, will open the 2011 campaign at the FIU Combat Classic hosted by Florida International in Miami.
The Blue Demons will encounter NCAA tournament qualifiers FIU, Ohio State and Kentucky in their first tournament.
A week later at the USF tournament in Tampa, DePaul goes against Mississippi, USF, Alabama-Birmingham, Indiana and NCAA qualifier Fordham.
"We're taking on teams from the Pac-10, Big 12 and SEC---three of the best softball conferences in the country," said Lenti, whose ballclub advanced to the NCAA regionals last season for the 13th time in the last 14 years---including four trips to the Women's College World Series.
"Playing the best competition is how you challenge yourself. We want to play a difficult nonconference schedule that will hopefully prepare us to defend our BIG EAST regular-season title."
