Softball releases schedule for 2024 season
December 04, 2023 | Softball
Wisconsin starts season on Feb. 8
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin softball team released its schedule for the 2024 season. The 54-game season includes 16 home games and begins on Feb. 8. The Badgers face six teams who received rankings in the final NFCA poll last season in five different tournaments, before beginning conference play on Mar. 23.
"What an exciting year for Badger softball fans. It's an honor to be invited to prestigious tournaments like the ESPN Clearwater Invitational and the Mary Nutter invitational in Palm Springs, California," says head coach Yvette Healy.
Wisconsin's season opens at the Kajikawa Classic, hosted by Arizona State. The Badgers will play ASU, Weber ST., GCU, Boise State, Maine, and St. Thomas starting on Feb. 8 and ending on Feb. 11.
Wisconsin will then move on to the Clearwater Invitational in Florida from Feb. 15 to Feb. 17. The Badgers face a tough slate of five opponents, four of which received rankings from the NFCA and D1Softball final polls in 2023. Georgia (No.14/No.11), Kentucky (#24/NR), Oklahoma State (#6/#5) and Washington (#5/#6).
The Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic sees Wisconsin face the Women's College World Series Champion Oklahoma on Feb. 23. Oklahoma finished last season 61-1, and has gone 176-8 over the past three seasons, winning the tournament in all three.
The last two tournaments for Wisconsin are Utah-St. George, from Mar. 1 to Mar. 3, and the UMBC tournament from Mar. 15 to Mar. 17. The Badgers take on Utah Tech and Utah, who finished last season ranked No. 8/No. 7, in St. George, Utah, before playing Albany, Niagara, and UMBC at the UMBC Invite.
Big Ten play begins for the Badgers in Iowa, where they face the Hawkeyes in a three-game series from Mar. 23 to Mar. 25. The first home series for Wisconsin will take place from Mar. 29 to Mar. 31 against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Goodman Diamond will also play host to conference opponents Ohio State, Penn State and, for the final series of the regular season, Maryland.
Wisconsin finished their season 27-20 last year, going 12-10 in conference play, and a Big Ten Tournament appearance. Seniors, Peyton Bannon, Fiona Girardot, Tessa Magnanimo, Skylar Sirdashney, and Gabi Salo look to lead a squad that welcomes five freshmen and 14 other returnees.
"After graduating three all-American, all Big Ten and all region players, we'll have our work cut out for us to rebuild while facing one of the toughest schedules we've ever set," Healy adds.
"We're excited to see what new stars emerge this season, as we face off against the best teams in the country."
"What an exciting year for Badger softball fans. It's an honor to be invited to prestigious tournaments like the ESPN Clearwater Invitational and the Mary Nutter invitational in Palm Springs, California," says head coach Yvette Healy.
Wisconsin's season opens at the Kajikawa Classic, hosted by Arizona State. The Badgers will play ASU, Weber ST., GCU, Boise State, Maine, and St. Thomas starting on Feb. 8 and ending on Feb. 11.
Wisconsin will then move on to the Clearwater Invitational in Florida from Feb. 15 to Feb. 17. The Badgers face a tough slate of five opponents, four of which received rankings from the NFCA and D1Softball final polls in 2023. Georgia (No.14/No.11), Kentucky (#24/NR), Oklahoma State (#6/#5) and Washington (#5/#6).
The Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic sees Wisconsin face the Women's College World Series Champion Oklahoma on Feb. 23. Oklahoma finished last season 61-1, and has gone 176-8 over the past three seasons, winning the tournament in all three.
The last two tournaments for Wisconsin are Utah-St. George, from Mar. 1 to Mar. 3, and the UMBC tournament from Mar. 15 to Mar. 17. The Badgers take on Utah Tech and Utah, who finished last season ranked No. 8/No. 7, in St. George, Utah, before playing Albany, Niagara, and UMBC at the UMBC Invite.
Big Ten play begins for the Badgers in Iowa, where they face the Hawkeyes in a three-game series from Mar. 23 to Mar. 25. The first home series for Wisconsin will take place from Mar. 29 to Mar. 31 against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Goodman Diamond will also play host to conference opponents Ohio State, Penn State and, for the final series of the regular season, Maryland.
Wisconsin finished their season 27-20 last year, going 12-10 in conference play, and a Big Ten Tournament appearance. Seniors, Peyton Bannon, Fiona Girardot, Tessa Magnanimo, Skylar Sirdashney, and Gabi Salo look to lead a squad that welcomes five freshmen and 14 other returnees.
"After graduating three all-American, all Big Ten and all region players, we'll have our work cut out for us to rebuild while facing one of the toughest schedules we've ever set," Healy adds.
"We're excited to see what new stars emerge this season, as we face off against the best teams in the country."
Players Mentioned
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