Wisconsin softball releases 2012 schedule
November 09, 2011 | Softball
Nov. 9, 2011
MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin head coach Yvette Healy has announced the 2012 schedule, featuring 17 home games.
Healy returns for her second season as head coach after posting a 30-23 overall record in 2011. For the first time since 2005 and the sixth time in school history, Wisconsin recorded a 30-win season. The Badgers return eight starting position players and all three starting pitchers from last season.
The Badgers start their spring season in Florida at two tournaments in February. Wisconsin begins its spring season in Tampa, Fla., in the USF Tournament from Feb. 17- 19, playing Drake, Georgia Southern and USF. To round out tournament-play, the Badgers travel for the third year in a row to Santa Barbara, Calif. Wisconsin plays a total of 23 tournament games before starting Big Ten action.
To start off Big Ten play, the Badgers travel to Iowa on March 24 and 25. In 2011, Wisconsin swept Iowa on the road, 7-6 and 6-3. Wisconsin went 4-6 in Big Ten away games last season.
Of the 24 Big Ten games, half will be played at home, along with five non-conference games. The Badgers take on UIC and Loyola Chicago in April, both teams whom Wisconsin played in the fall season. The Badgers won against Loyola, 3-2, and lost to UIC, 13-9.
Wisconsin had an 11-8 record at home last season. Their first home game of the 2012 season is a doubleheader on March 31 against Northwestern. The Badgers host the reigning Big Ten champion, Michigan, for their last home game of the season on May 5-6.
