First Home Night Game Highlights U-M's 2003 Schedule
10/31/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball team has announced its 2003 season schedule as the Wolverines prepare to defend their Big Ten Conference regular-season and tournament championships. After last season making their sixth trip to the Women's College World Series in eight years, the Wolverines return to the diamond Feb. 14-16 at the Campbell/Cartier Classic hosted by San Diego State in Poway, Calif., where the Maize and Blue will open its season for the eighth straight year.
Opening Day 2003 at Alumni Field will also be the Wolverines' Big Ten opener on March 28 (3 p.m.) against Illinois. Michigan's home slate is also highlighted by the Wolverines' first night game at Alumni Field on April 25 (6 p.m.) against Purdue. Permanent lights will be installed at Alumni Field for the 2003 season after Michigan brought in temporary lights for the 2002 NCAA Regional last May. Although the lights were used for two games during the regional, neither game included the Wolverines.
Michigan's usual challenging non-conference slate continues at the NFCA Leadoff Classic (Feb. 21-23) in Columbus, Ga. Generally regarded as the elite non-conference tournament in the country, the Classic hosted four eventual WCWS participants last season (Arizona State, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma) as well as other annual top-10 caliber programs such as LSU, Washington and Fresno State. Michigan's other non-conference tournaments are the Texas Invitational (Feb. 28-March 2), the Florida State Seminole Classic (March 7-9) and the Boilermaker Classic (March 21-23).
Michigan returns six everyday players with starting experience from last year's 50-11 WCWS team in addition to both its starting pitchers, Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Marissa Young (Santa Ana, Calif./Mater Dei HS) and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Nicole Motycka (Sarasota, Fla./Cardinal Mooney HS). The Wolverines also return All-Big Ten players in catcher Monica Schock (Rialto, Calif./Eisenhower HS), utility player Melinda Moulden (LaCrescenta, Calif./Crescenta Valley HS) and outfielder Meghan Doe (Tucson, Ariz./Sabino HS).
Contact: Rich Marion (734) 763-4423
