Kansas Softball Announces 2014 Slate
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas softball head coach Megan Smith announced the schedule for the 2014 season on Thursday afternoon, which the Jayhawks have been preparing for throughout the semester both on the field and in the weight room.
KU faces seven teams that participated in the 2013 NCAA Tournament, including the defending National Champion, Oklahoma.
“We are really excited about our schedule this year,” said Smith. “We are playing a lot of top teams. Our schedule is really balanced with a lot of good competition that will certainly prepare us to play in the Big 12, which continues to be one of the top conferences in the country.”
Kansas will spend the majority of its non-conference play on the road playing in tournaments across the country: the Sportco Kick-Off Classic hosted by Central Florida, College of Charleston Tournament, Jackson State Tournament, Coach B Classic at Southern Illinois and the Under Armour Classic held at South Florida.
The Jayhawks will be tested early on in the season as they play teams from the SEC, Pac-12 and Big 10.
KU plays at home for the first time in 2014 by hosting the Jayhawk Invitational March 14-16. This will be the first tournament Kansas has hosted since 2009. Northern Illinois, Jackson State and Nebraska will come to Lawrence for the invitational.
The Jayhawks open Big 12 play by hosting Oklahoma State March 28-30 at Arrocha Ballpark. For the first conference road trip, KU will travel to Oklahoma for a three-game series against the defending National Champion. Last season, Kansas handed OU one of its four losses with a 2-0 win on senior day in Lawrence.
KU finishes Big 12 play at home with a series against Iowa State, May 9-11.
Kansas will have four games broadcasted on the Jayhawk Television Network in 2014. The televised games include Northern Illinois on March 15, Texas Tech on April 18 and Iowa State on May 10 and 11.
The Jayhawks return seven starters including Kelsey Kessler and Chaley Brickey, who received All-Big 12 honors at the conclusion of the 2013 campaign. KU returns a total of 10 letterwinners and welcomes seven newcomers.
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