JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 26, 2011) – Two weeks after wrapping up its fall season, East Tennessee State University head softball coach Brad Irwin released the Buccaneers’ 2012 schedule on Wednesday.

The Bucs, who return 14 players from a year ago including First Team All-Atlantic Sun selection Sam Lower (Sebring, Fla.), play seven teams who appeared in the 2011 NCAA Division I Softball Championship.

“We are very excited about this schedule because we will be tested early and often,” said Irwin, who begins his second season at the helm. “We will be playing seven teams who were in last year’s NCAA Softball Championship and those games will help us get ready for the demanding A-Sun Conference schedule. We play in five tournaments to start the year, so hopefully this will create strong team chemistry and we can build off that as the season continues.”

Overall, ETSU will play in five tournaments to kick off the spring, while hosting the likes of Appalachian State, Western Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, and Presbyterian in non-conference play. Meanwhile, the Bucs bring Kennesaw State, Mercer, Florida Gulf Coast, and Stetson to Betty Basler Field for A-Sun action.

The Bucs begin the season at the Georgia State First Pitch Classic on Feb. 11, while facing Appalachian State in their home-opener on March 15.

The 2012 Atlantic Sun Tournament will be hosted by USC Upstate for the second consecutive season. The six-team, double elimination tournament runs from May 9-13.

For more information on Buccaneer softball, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.