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Softball unveils 2012 schedule
Dec. 14, 2011 Stony Brook, N.Y. - The Stony Brook softball program and head coach Megan Bryant announced the 2012 schedule on Wednesday. The Seawolves will face opponents from several power conferences including the Big 12, Big East and Pac-12 in addition to an 18-game America East slate. "This is an exciting and ambitious schedule and one that we believe will prepare us for the America East race and a return to postseason play," Bryant explained. "Facing tough opponents will be important to the development of our young pitching staff and will accelerate their learning curve." The 2012 season opens with three tournaments that will ship the team up and down the Eastern Seaboard. The campaign begins on Feb. 17-19 at the Charlotte Classic in Charlotte, N.C. where the Seawolves will face host UNC-Charlotte, Middle Tennessee State and Big 12 foe Kansas in the school's first-ever meeting with the Jayhawks. Stony Brook then embarks for Washington, D.C. and the George Washington Colonial Classic on March 2-4, during which the team will take on Siena, SUNY rival Buffalo, Robert Morris, George Washington and Army. The third tournament will send Stony Brook to Fort Myers, Fla. for the LaQuinta Inn and Suites Spring Break Tournament hosted by Florida Gulf Coast University. The Seawolves are scheduled to play six games at the competition against Howard, St. Francis (Pa.), Colgate, Georgetown, Florida Gulf Coast and Pac-12 opponent Utah. Stony Brook has not faced a team from the Pac-10/12 since taking on Arizona State in the regional round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. After a month on the road, the Seawolves will open the home portion of their schedule with a doubleheader against another Big 12 team, Texas Tech, on March 14. After a home twin-bill against Holy Cross on March 17, Stony Brook will head across the Long Island Sound to Fairfield for a doubleheader on March 21.
America East action begins on March 24-25 as the Seawolves will host a weekend series with Hartford. Stony Brook will also host Maine (April 21-22) and Albany (May 5-6) in conference action, while traveling to Boston University (March 31-April 1), UMBC (April 14-15) and Binghamton (April 28-29). Other highlights of the schedule include a single home game against regional rival Long Island University on April 3 and a home doubleheader against Big East opponent Rutgers on April 17. The 2012 America East Championship is set for May 10-12 at the highest seed. "Our team will certainly be challenged by this schedule," Bryant added. "Our mantra will be to compete, learn and get better every day." The Seawolves return 10 letterwinners from last year's team that posted a 20-29 overall record. |
