Mercer Softball Announces 2014 Schedule
12/9/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
MACON, Ga. – The Mercer softball program has set its sights on the 2014 spring championship season, announcing its schedule for the upcoming year this past week.
After a 24-29 overall record in 2013, Mercer head coach James DeFeo has had his team of 18 - which welcomes five freshmen and two transfers - preparing for another year of tough competition. The Bears are on the road for over half of the season, with non-conference trips to Gainesville, Fla. for a doubleheader against the University of Florida and Athens, Ga. to participate in the University of Georgia Tournament.
Similar to last season, DeFeo has his team facing some tough non-conference foes at home in the Mercer Invitational and the Mercer Bear Classic.
"The Mercer Softball Bears are certainly happy to open up again at home with the Mercer Invitational Tournament the first weekend of the season," DeFeo said. "Our two home tournaments feature top programs coming in to Macon from all over the country. The Mercer Bears Classic will round out our first month of the season and propel us into conference play."
The Bears host the Mercer Invitational on the season's opening weekend brining in Samford, Florida A&M, and East Kentucky for a three-team round robin on February 7-9. Three weeks later, the Bears will host the Mercer Bear Invitational, which will feature a Marist, N.C. Central, and IPFW on Feb. 28- Mar. 2.
Between the two tournaments, the Bears will spend two weeks on the road. The first stop will be in Athens, Ga. at the University of Georgia Tournament, which will feature South Alabama, UGA, Furman, and Ohio. Next, they will head down to Orlando, Fla., where they will compete against Delaware, Dartmouth, East Carolina, South Alabama, and Fairfield in the Diamond 9 Citrus Classic.
Before getting too far into conference play, the Bears find themselves sharing the field with some stiff non-conference competition at Georgia St. on Feb. 27, vs. Savannah St. and Norfolk St. on March 5, and finally at Florida on March 12. The Bears will also host in-state foe Georgia Southern on Apr. 16.
"Our non-conference schedule is very challenging and will definitely prepare us well for our final season of Conference play in the Atlantic Sun," DeFeo said.
The Bears begin conference play at on the road this season as they travel to East Tennessee State on March 8-9. The Bears and Lady Bucs play a double header on Saturday with the series finale on Sunday.
"We are looking forward to having several crucial Atlantic Sun Conference series here at Mercer," DeFeo said about the Bears' conference contests. "Florida foes Stetson and 2013 regular season A-Sun Champions North Florida will make the trip to Macon in March and in April will see in-state rival Kennesaw State and the reigning 2013 A-Sun Tournament Champions from USC-Upstate."
CLICK HERE for the entire 2014 schedule
