SAN MARCOS, Texas – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has announced the schedule for the 2020 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla. to open next season. The tournament returns for the first time since the 2014 season. Texas State will play five games from Feb. 7-9 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.

"This will be an incredible experience for our team" head coach Ricci Woodard said. "When you have the opportunity to face the level of competition that we will see to open the season, it can only make you a better team. The fact that we also get the privilege of playing against our own USA Olympic team in this tournament, will be an unforgettable experience for our program.  If all goes as planned, our very own Cat Ostermann will be in the other dugout gearing up for her campaign for the 2020 Gold Medal. I cannot think of a better way to kick off the 2020 season."

The field consists of Auburn, Baylor, Illinois, Kentucky, Liberty, Louisville, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Missouri, Missouri State, North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, South Alabama, and the US National Team.

Nine teams participating in the event made appearances in the NCAA Regional, three teams played in the NCAA Super Regional, and Minnesota made the Women's College World Series for the first time in program history.

Texas State will open the 2020 campaign against a familiar foe in Sun Belt Conference rival South Alabama. Since joining the league, the Bobcats are 14-2 against the Jaguars to include a 13-game winning streak from April 5, 2014 to March 15, 2019. First pitch between the two teams will begin at 11 a.m. on Feb. 7.

In game two of the tournament, Texas State will take on Kentucky at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 7. The Wildcats finished the 2019 season in the Super Regional round after going through the gauntlet of the Southeastern Conference during the regular season. The game will mark the fourth time TXST has faced UK. The Bobcats have won the previous three matchups on neutral fields by a score of 22-7.

The Bobcats will square off with another Bluegrass State team in the Louisville Cardinals on day two of the tournament. Louisville played in the NCAA Regional last season. When the two teams meet at 9 a.m. on Feb. 8 it will be the first game between the programs on the softball diamond.

Game four of the tournament will feature the Bobcats and the Auburn Tigers. Auburn finished the 2019 season in the SEC semifinals and with an appearance in the NCAA Regional. The Tigers defeated the Bobcats in each of the previous two matchups between the two schools. The game will start at 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 8.

Finally, Texas State will end the week with a tilt against the US National Team. The Red, White, and Blue, led by Texas State associate head coach Cat Osterman, will be continuing to train for the 2020 Olympic Games. The game will begin at 11 a.m. on Feb. 9.

Feb. 7
Texas State vs. South Alabama – 11 a.m.
Texas State vs. Kentucky – 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 8
Texas State vs. Louisville – 9 a.m.
Texas State vs. Auburn – 11:30 a.m.

Feb. 9
Texas State vs. US National Team – 11 a.m.

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