Virginia Softball Announces 2013 Schedule

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Dec. 3, 2012

2013 Schedule
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.—Virginia softball head coach Eileen Schmidt announced Monday (Dec. 3) the Cavaliers’ 2013 schedule, which will feature 11 participants from the 2012 NCAA Tournament squads.

Virginia returns eight starters and 13 letterwinners from a squad that went 26-25 (8-13 ACC) in Schmidt’s fifth season at the helm of her alma mater.

The Cavaliers begin the 2013 campaign with a tournament at Campbell University (Feb. 8-9), facing the host Camels, Robert Morris, St. Bonaventure and George Washington.

The following two weekends, UVa will see elite competition in a tournaments at LSU (Feb. 15-17) and Palm Springs, Calif., (Feb. 21-23). Over the two weekends, the Cavaliers will face Women’s College World Series squads LSU (twice) and Oregon, a Super Regional team in Washington and three more NCAA sides (North Dakota State, San Diego State and Stanford).

“They are tough back-to-back weekends,” Schmidt said. “One, they are not close by, but we get used to that kind of travel early in the season. Two, LSU was in the World Series and Palm Springs is the premier tournament in the country, so we are not playing anyone who is weak.”

After the trip out west, the Cavaliers will compete in a five-game tournament at Winthrop (March 1-3), featuring Furman, Hartford, UNC Greensboro, Rhode Island and the host Eagles.

“With LSU, Palm Springs and Winthrop all in a row, it will be an RPI booster for us and a lot of great competition,” Schmidt said.

After a midweek doubleheader against Seton Hall on March 6, UVa opens up Atlantic Coast Conference competition at home against Georgia Tech (March 9-10).

“It will be in an interesting year in the ACC because everyone is getting better,” Schmidt said. “Everyone was young last year, so it will be interesting to see how the young teams develop. The key for us is to stay healthy, especially in the circle. That battle with Georgia Tech is always a great series and it’s pretty cool that we open with them.”

Virginia hosts James Madison and Longwood for doubleheaders on March 13 and 14 before its first road series at Maryland on March 23-24. Boston College travels to Charlottesville (March 29-30).

A trip to Chapel Hill, N.C., (April 6-7) to face North Carolina follows a mid-week away game at George Mason on April 3. The Cavaliers host Delaware State on April 10 before heading south to play at Florida State April 14-15.

Two ACC home weekends against NC State (April 20-21) and Virginia Tech (April 27-28) sandwich the Cavaliers final road game of the regular season at Liberty on April 24.

UVa will return to Tallahassee, Fla., for the ACC Tournament, which will be held May 9-11.

Admission is free for Virginia’s home games at The Park.