Dec. 5, 2013
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech softball team released its 2014 schedule, which features 10 NCAA Tournament participants last season and 47 games. The Yellow Jackets kick off the 2014 slate Feb. 8-9 with a three-game series against Missouri State at Mewborn Field.
Ten of the teams Tech plays this season advanced to a 2013 NCAA Regional (Arizona, Stony Brook, Tulsa, Notre Dame, NC State, Georgia, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Florida State), with Alabama advancing to the Super Regionals.
Head coach Shelly Hoerner enters her first season at the helm of the Georgia Tech program, which returns all nine starters, including 2013 ACC Player of the Year Ashley Thomas, and three pitchers, from a team that went 25-30 overall in 2013 and 10-10 in ACC play for fifth place.
“We are excited about this 2014 schedule,” Hoerner said. “Playing a tough out-of-conference schedule will prepare us for the vigorous ACC schedule we will play on a weekly basis. With the new additions to the ACC, it will not only make the conference better than it already is, but make us personally have to raise our level of play every day.”
Of the 47 games on the docket for 2014, the Jackets will play 26 at Mewborn Field. After opening the season against Missouri State, Georgia Tech travels to the Hillenbrand Invitational for five games in Tucson, Ariz. including games against Arizona and Alabama, before returning home to host the Georgia Tech-Kennesaw State Invitational. The Jackets welcome 2013 NCAA Tournament teams Stony Brook and Tulsa, along with Georgia State.
The five games at the Georgia Tech-Kennesaw State Invitational begin a 14-game home swing for the Jackets. A mid-week game against Troy (March 5) separates Tech’s first two home conference series against Boston College (March 1-2) and Notre Dame (March 8-9).
Virginia travels to Atlanta for a Wednesday doubleheader March 12 before the Jackets hit the road for 10 straight games. The Jackets take on Maryland (March 15-16), NC State (March 19), Syracuse (March 22-23), Kennesaw State (March 26) and in-state rival Georgia (April 2) before returning home.
The Jackets host Virginia Tech (April 5-6), Georgia State (April 8) and North Carolina (April 12-13) before their second match-up against the Bulldogs on April 16.
Trips to Pittsburgh (April 19-20) and Florida State (April 26-27) bookend a home game against Kennesaw State (April 23) to round out Tech’s season.
Maryland hosts the ACC Tournament May 8-10, and NCAA Regional play begins May 16-18.
Keep up with Yellow Jacket softball this year by following Georgia Tech on Twitter at @GaTechSoftball and by liking Georgia Tech Softball on Facebook.
