MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin softball team will open up its 2021 slate with a trip to Leesburg, Florida to face Big Ten rivals Penn State, Indiana and Maryland this weekend. The Badgers will face the Nittany Lions in a doubleheader on Friday that begins at 3:15 p.m. CT, the Hooisers on Saturday in a 3:15 p.m. CT doubleheader before facing the Terrapins on Sunday in a twin bill that begins at 8:20 a.m. CT.

Attendance for the games is limited to the immediate families of the student-athletes. All six games in Florida will be streamed online through Big Ten Network+ .In addition, fans can also follow the action on Twitter (@BadgerSoftball) or Instagram (@BadgerSoftball).

1. TOURNEY INFO: All 14 teams in the Big Ten Conference will be at the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex in Leesburg, Florida this weekend to play three doubleheaders over a three-day stretch. This weekend marks the first of two trips to the Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex for Big Ten programs as they will return to the site March 11-14 for another round of games. UW will play three games against Ohio State and Michigan during its second trip to Florida.

2. ABOUT THE BIG TEN SCHEDULE: After UW makes its two trips to Florida, the Badgers will transition towards a more traditional Big Ten schedule. UW will play four-game series each weekend, beginning on March 26 with a four-game set at Northwestern. The Badgers' first home series is scheduled to be against Illinois, April 2-4, at Goodman Diamond. More information about UW home games will be released at a later date.  

Trust us...this season will be well worth the wait⌛

It's G🥎 TIME! pic.twitter.com/fAYbVhyyAp

— Wisconsin Softball (@BadgerSoftball) February 9, 2021

3. STRAIGHT FROM THE DIAMOND:

It's (finally) game week!

Hear what @YvetteHealy has to say about the #Badgers opening the season this weekend in Florida pic.twitter.com/NE7f1GOfj3

— Wisconsin Softball (@BadgerSoftball) February 23, 2021

4. A LOOK BACK: UW went 14-10 during a shortened season last year due to COVID-19. The Badgers capped of the abbreviated campaign by winning the USF Tournament thanks to a run-rule 9-0 win over UMass in the title game. The Badgers also picked up wins against No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 17 Arizona State and No. 25 North Carolina last spring.

5. NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: The Badgers welcome seven new players to their roster this year in outfielder Alyssa McClelland, pitcher Gabi Salo, infielder Skylar Sirdashney, outfielder Sylvia Flarity, infielder Peyton Bannon, pitcher Ava Justman and infielder Gabby Altobelli. The group looks to fill the hole left by a tremendous 2020 senior class of Caroline Hedgcock, Kayla Konwent, Kaitlyn Menz, Stephanie Lombardo, Jordan Little and Heather Rudnicki.