Oct. 31, 2012
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech softball team released its 2013 schedule, which features one Women’s College World Series team and 12 NCAA Tournament participants. The reigning Atlantic Coast Conference champion Yellow Jackets will host tournaments on back-to-back weekends to open the season and play 24 home games at Mewborn Field.
The 2012 team claimed its third ACC Tournament title in the last four years and competed in its 11-straight NCAA Tournament.
“We really thought it was important to play more games at home at Mewborn Field,” head coach Sharon Perkins said. “The popularity of our program grows every season and it was important for us to have more home games for the softball fans in the Atlanta area to watch us play.
“Each year we try and challenge our team by playing the best competition possible. This year is no exception. Our trips to Palm Springs, Orlando and Missouri will be challenging and will prepare us for ACC play. I really feel that the ACC is as strong as it has been since I have been at Georgia Tech. It is our goal that our pre-conference schedule and the ACC will boost our RPI and prepare us for postseason.”
Twelve of the teams Tech plays this season advanced to a 2012 NCAA Regional (Coastal Carolina, Miami (Ohio), Northwestern, Cal, Florida, Oregon State, Georgia, Missouri, Virginia Tech, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida State). Georgia, Missouri and Cal reached the Super Regionals and Cal advanced further to the WCWS.
The Yellow Jackets’ 2013 opposition amassed an overall record of 898-640 (.584) last season and Georgia Tech’s record against this year’s competition is 293-207 (.586). Perkins is 135-49 (.734) at Tech against this year’s slate.
Tech is scheduled to play in four tournaments and opens the 2013 season Feb. 8-10 with the Georgia Tech-Kennesaw State Invitational when the Yellow Jackets welcome Eastern Michigan, Butler, Missouri State and Coastal Carolina. The squad follows that up with the Georgia Tech Classic, Feb. 15-17, hosting Marshall, Miami (Ohio) and Indiana.
The Yellow Jackets then head west to Palm Springs, Calif., for the Cathedral City Classic where they will face steep competition against five teams, four of which made it to the 2012 NCAA postseason.
Georgia Tech plays in the Citrus Classic on March 1-3 in Orlando, Fla., before opening ACC play on the road at Virginia (March 9-10).
The Yellow Jackets host Georgia on March 13, then hit the road for six games in six days at SIUE, SEMO and Missouri. Tech makes the trip to Athens for a second matchup against the Bulldogs on April 3.
The ACC home opener is March 29-30 versus NC State, with Maryland (April 13-14) and Florida State (April 27-28) making the trip to the Flats as well. Tech plays Virginia Tech (April 6-7), North Carolina (April 20-21) and Boston College (May 4-5) on the road.
Florida State hosts the ACC Tournament May 9-11, and NCAA Regional play begins May 17-19.
