St. John's University Athletics
Kvilhaug Releases 2009 Spring Softball Schedule
10/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Oct. 20, 2008
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QUEENS, N.Y. - St. John's head softball coach Amy Kvilhaug released the 2009 spring softball schedule today. The 2009 version of the Red Storm faces a highly competitive schedule which features 12 games versus seven opponents that reached the 2008 NCAA Tournament.
"This year we have put together a challenging schedule as we continue to raise the bar with our non-conference opponent selection," said Kvilhaug. "The softball coaches across the BIG EAST are committed to improving the conference RPI and making sure we are competing at the highest level."
The Red Storm begins its season on the road in Miami, Fla., at the FIU Tournament on Feb. 13-15. St. John's will take on Temple, FIU, Florida Gulf Coast, Michigan State and BIG EAST softball new-comer Georgetown in a non-conference battle. St. John's then travels to Farmville, Va., on Feb. 20-22 to compete in a tournament held by Longwood University before heading to Raleigh, N.C., for the Wolfpack Invitational on Feb 27- March 1.
The softball team plays an away contest at Monmouth on March 7 before spending its spring break at the Hawaii Spring Fling in Honolulu, Hawaii, on March 11-14. St. John's will face off against six opponents including Hawaii and Cal-Berkeley who both advanced to the NCAA tournament a season ago.
"Mixed into our non-conference schedule are competitive teams from the strongest conferences in the country including the Pac-10, Big Ten and the ACC," said Kvilhaug. "Locally we have improved our schedule by adding yearly NCAA participants Hofstra and LIU."
The Red Storm has 12 games against eight opponents whose RPI was in the top-75 a season ago.
"In addition to our non-conference schedule we face a tough BIG EAST Conference slate," said Kvilhaug. "There is so much parity in the league and every game will put us to the test. With three teams receiving an at-large bid to the postseason, the BIG EAST is gaining respect as one of the most competitive leagues in the country."
St. John's begins its BIG EAST schedule on the road in a doubleheader versus reigning champion DePaul, in Chicago, Ill., on March 21. The Red Storm has road double headers against Notre Dame (March 22), Rutgers (April 4), Seton Hall (April 15), Georgetown (May 2) and Villanova (May 3). This season the softball team will take on BIG EAST opponents Louisville (March 28), Pittsburgh (March 29), Syracuse (April 8), USF (April 18), UConn (April 25) and Providence (April 26) at home at Red Storm Field in Queens, N.Y.
Home play opens for the Red Storm on March 18 at 4 p.m., in a matchup versus local rival Hofstra.
For the second season in a row, the BIG EAST Championship will be held in Louisville, Ky., on May 8-10.
If you would like to receive the most up-to-date information on the 2008-09 St. John's softball team, please send your e-mail address to michael.gambardella03@stjohns.edu.
