JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 15, 2011) – The ETSU softball team hit the ground running last week as the Buccaneers began practicing for their fall season. Wednesday marked the Bucs’ seventh practice and head coach Brad Irwin took the time to give his thoughts on the early campaign, while also commenting on what to expect in the weeks ahead.

The Blue and Gold took the field four times last week and practice another four times this week. Overall, the Bucs will hold 20 practices and play eight games this fall, which ETSU will take full advantage of in the upcoming weeks.  

ETSU, who returns 14 letterwinners from last season’s team, host a pair of fall tournaments and take on Milligan and Lincoln Memorial in doubleheaders. Irwin’s squad begins play next Thursday, Sept. 22, when the Bucs face Milligan at Betty Basler Field. First pitch of the double-dip is set for 5 p.m. A little over two weeks later, ETSU wraps up fall play when the Bucs bring King College and Lee University to Johnson City on Saturday, Oct. 8. Sandwiched in between, the Blue and Gold play both Walters State and Tusculum on Friday, Sept. 30, while squaring off with LMU on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Below is a complete fall schedule.

Thursday, Sept. 22

ETSU vs. Milligan (5 p.m. – Betty Basler Field)

ETSU vs. Milligan (7 p.m. – Betty Baslter Field)

Friday, Sept. 30

ETSU vs. Walters State, (4 p.m. – Betty Basler Field)

Walters State vs. Tusculum (6 p.m. – Betty Basler Field)

ETSU vs. Tusculum (8 p.m. – Betty Basler Field)

Saturday, Oct. 1

ETSU vs. Lincoln Memorial (1 p.m. – Betty Basler Field)

ETSU vs. Lincoln Memorial (3 p.m. – Betty Basler Field)

Saturday, Oct. 8

ETSU vs. King (Noon – Betty Basler Field)

King vs. Lee (2 p.m. – Betty Basler Field)

ETSU vs. Lee (4 p.m. – Betty Basler Field)

• Admission is free for all fall games.

For a recap of the fall season, stay tuned to ETSUBucs.com.