JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 11, 2023) – With less than a month remaining until the softball season begins, the Buccaneers announced their 2023 schedule on Wednesday.

Nineteen home games, preseason tournaments to Charlotte, South Carolina, NC State and Mississippi State and playing at Tennessee highlight the Bucs’ slate.

SEASON OPENER

ETSU opens the 2023 season in the Queen City as the Bucs play in the Charlotte Invitational from Feb. 10-12. The first game of the tournament pins ETSU with Campbell on Feb. 10, while the Blue and Gold take on Miami (Ohio) and tournament host Charlotte on Saturday and conclude play with South Carolina on Sunday, Feb. 12. Campbell has won the last two Big South Tournament titles, resulting in back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. Likewise, Miami has won the last two Mid-American Tournament championships and has appeared in consecutive NCAA Regionals after winning 86 games the last two seasons and going 60-7 in conference play during this run.

FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO SOUTH CAROLINA

After opening the season in the Tar Heel state, the Bucs head south to the Palmetto State as ETSU gears up for the Carolina Classic, hosted by the University of South Carolina. ETSU makes it back-to-back games with the Gamecocks as the Bucs open play with the tournament host on Thursday, Feb. 16. On day two of the tournament, the Blue and Gold face Western Kentucky and George Washington, while wrapping up with play with another familiar foe from the opening weekend, Campbell, on Saturday, Feb. 18. George Washington won the Atlantic 10 regular season title a year ago after finishing 21-3 and made its third straight postseason appearance by playing in the National Invitational Softball Championship.

BUCS GOING BACK TO NORTH CAROLINA

Following a midweek non-conference doubleheader at Radford on Feb. 21, the Bucs head back to North Carolina for the Wolfpack Classic, hosted by NC State Feb. 24-26. While in Raleigh, ETSU takes on perennial CAA power James Madison, ACC contender NC State and Ivy League member Penn. James Madison has won five of the last six CAA titles and made an appearance in the 2021 Women’s College World Series.

HOME OPENER

Interim head Coach Cheryl Milligan and the Bucs make their home debut on Tuesday, Feb. 28 when ETSU hosts Appalachian State in a single game inside Betty Basler Field. The Bucs finish the brief three-game homestand on March 8 when ETSU takes on Ball State in a doubleheader.

ETSU’s remaining non-conference home games include Morehead State (March 14), a three-game series with Eastern Illinois (March 17-18) and Radford (April 5).

CLOSING OUT TOURNAMENT PLAY IN STARKVILLE

ETSU makes the trek to Starkville, Miss. for its fourth and final preseason tournament the weekend of March 10-12. The Bucs open play at the Bulldog Invitational with back-to-back games against Omaha, while also facing Southern Louisiana and tournament host Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have made five straight trips to the NCAA Regionals and advanced to the Super Regionals a year ago.

LET SOCON PLAY BEGIN

ETSU opens Southern Conference play on the road against UNCG on Saturday, March 25. The Spartans have won the last five SoCon regular season championships.

WE’RE HEADING TO KNOXVILLE

The Blue and Gold make the short trip to Knoxville for a single game with SEC power Tennessee on Tuesday, March 28. The Vols have made 18 straight trips to the NCAA Regionals, while advancing to Super Regionals 11 times and making seven appearances in the Women’s College World Series.

SOCON AT HOME

ETSU’s SoCon home opener is set for Saturday, April 1 when Furman visits Betty Basler Field for a three-game set. The Bucs’ also host reigning conference tournament champion Chattanooga (April 15-16) and conclude regular season play with Mercer (May 6-7).

SOCON ROAD GAMES

In addition to playing at UNCG, the Bucs make conference road trips to Samford (April 7-8) and Western Carolina (April 29-30).

NCAA TOURNAMENT BID UP FOR GRABS

The SoCon Tournament and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament will be up for grabs March 10-13. The tournament will be held at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga.

Admission is free for ETSU softball home games.

For more information on Buccaneer softball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the softball tab.

2023 ETSU SOFTBALL SCHEDULE

Charlotte Invitational

Friday, Feb. 10 vs. Campbell, 10a

Saturday, Feb. 11 vs. Miami Ohio, 10a

Saturday, Feb. 11 at Charlotte, 12:30p

Sunday, Feb. 12 vs. South Carolina, 12:30p

Carolina Classic

Thursday, Feb. 16 at South Carolina, 5:30p

Friday, Feb. 17 vs. Western Kentucky, 12:30p

Friday, Feb. 17 vs. George Washington, 5:30p

Saturday, Feb. 18 vs. Campbell, 12:30p

---------------

Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Radford, 2/4p

---------------

Wolfpack Classic

Friday, Feb. 24 vs. James Madison, 12:30p

Friday, Feb. 24 at NC State, 5:30p

Saturday, Feb. 25 vs. Penn, 12:30p

Saturday, Feb. 25 at NC State, 5:30p

Sunday, Feb. 26 vs. Penn, 10 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 28 vs. Appalachian State, TBD

Wednesday, March 8 vs. Ball State (DH), TBD

Bulldog Invitational

Friday, March 10 vs. Omaha, 4 p.m.

Saturday, March 11 vs. Omaha, 10 a.m.

Saturday, March 11 vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 12 at Mississippi State, 2:30p

Tuesday, March 14 vs. Morehead State (DH), TBD

Friday, March 17 vs. Eastern Illinois, TBD

Saturday, March 18 vs. Eastern Illinois (DH), TBD

Saturday, March 25 at UNCG (DH), TBD

Sunday, March 26 at UNCG, TBD

Tuesday, March 28 at Tennessee, TBD

Saturday, April 1 vs. Furman (DH), TBD

Sunday, April 2 vs. Furman, TBD

Wednesday, April 5 vs. Radford (DH), TBD

Friday, April 7 at Samford (DH), 2/4p

Saturday, April 8 at Samford, 2p 

Tuesday, April 11, at Appalachian State, 5p 

Saturday, April 15 vs. Chattanooga (DH), TBD

Sunday, April 16 vs. Chattanooga, TBD  

Tuesday, April 18 at Tennessee Tech (DH), TBD

Saturday, April 29 at Western Carolina, TBD

Sunday, April 30 at Western Carolina, TBD

Saturday, May 6 vs. Mercer (DH), TBD

Sunday, May 7 vs. Mercer, TBD

May 10-13 SoCon Tournament (Chattanooga)

HOME GAMES IN BOLD