GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG softball team opens the 2013 campaign on the road at the Charleston Southern Tournament in Charleston, S.C. this weekend. The Spartans will face George Mason Saturday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. along with a matchup against tournament host Charleston Southern Saturday at 2 p.m. UNCG concludes the tournament with another game against George Mason Sunday at 1 p.m.
"We're excited to compete against an opponent," said head coach Janelle Breneman. "Obviously with practices you scrimmage and you do a lot of drills, we are just excited to see a different opponent out there on the field. I think our team has really gained the confidence both offensively and defensively. I really feel like our swings are at a good place right now."
Last week, UNCG earned two preseason All-Conference picks in senior Eileen Horsmon(Dunkirk, Md./Northern) and junior Aisha Figueroa(Virginia Beach, Va./Ocean Lakes). The Spartans were picked to finish sixth in the conference as Figueroa was a preseason first team selection at Utility. Horsmon, who lead the team with 46 RBI, was a second team honoree at first base.
The Spartans will welcome six newcomers to last year's squad that finished 22-34 with a 10-13 record in the Southern Conference. UNCG returns 13 players and second-team All-SoCon member Katelyn Bedwell (Surrey, British Columbia/Elgin Park Secondary) who finished the 2011 season with 11 home runs.
Charleston Southern will be providing live stats for all the tournament games this weekend.
Charleston Southern was picked to finish second in the Big South in the preseason poll. The Lady Bucs are coming off a 33-win season and coming one win away from making the NCAA tournament last season. They return six starters outfielder Jana Matthews, who earned All-Conference honors last season finishing with six home runs and a team-high 33 RBI.
George Mason was picked to finish sixth, tied with Drexel in the Colonial Athletic Conference preseason poll. Mason returns 16 players from last year's squad including CAA first team and all-rookie honoree Brooke Blankenship and second-team honoree Megan Blank returns for Mason this season.
Be sure to follow all updates about the 2013 UNCG softball team on www.uncgspartans.com or on twitter @UNCGsports/@UNCGsoftball.
