Hosting of B1G Tournament Highlights 2017 Schedule
11/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 29, 2016
• 2017 U-M Softball Schedule | Ticket Information
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan softball program announced its 2017 schedule today (Tuesday, Nov. 29), consisting of a 53-game regular season and featuring 16 home games. The Wolverines will also host the 2017 Big Ten Tournament, scheduled for May 11-3, at the Wilpon Complex, home of Alumni Field.
The Wolverines will face 13 opponents who reached the NCAA Tournament a year ago, including UCLA and Florida State, which, like Michigan reached the 2016 Women's College World Series.
Michigan will kick off the season, the program's 40th of intercollegiate play, at the Wilson-Demarini Tournament, slated for Feb. 10-12 in Tampa, Florida. Among its five-game slate at the annual South Florida tournament, Michigan will face perennial power Florida in a rematch of the 2015 WCWS championship series.
Michigan will face N.C. State and Notre Dame twice at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, scheduled for Feb. 17-19 in Raleigh, North Carolina, before kicking off its annual spring break trip to California the following weekend. The Wolverines again will participate in the Mary Nutter Memorial Tournament on Feb. 24-26, and wrap up the trip at the annual Judi Garman Classic on March 2-4. Michigan will face 2016 NCAA Tournament teams in Texas AM&, Florida State, Arizona State, UCLA, Baylor, Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State on its spring break trip.
The Maize and Blue will conclude its early-season tournament play at the Kentucky Invitational March 11-12 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Michigan takes on Bowling Green in its home opener on March 15 at Alumni Field and opens Big Ten Conference against at home Penn State (March 24-26). The Wolverines will also host Big Ten matchups against Northwestern (March 31-April 2), Michigan State (April 18) and Indiana (April 28-30).
Absent from U-M's schedule are the Minnesota, which finished second in the Big Ten last year and edged the Wolverines for the tournament crown, and Nebraska.
Michigan will host the Big Ten Tournament for the 10th time in the event's 20th season and for the first time since 2005. The annual tournament returned after a four-year absence in 2013.
Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins, the winningest coach in NCAA softball history, returns for her 33rd season with the Wolverines, who are seeking their 10th straight Big Ten title and 20th overall. U-M returns 17 letterwinners, including five starting field players and a starting pitcher, from its 2016 squad. Among those returning are three All-Americans -- senior RHP Megan Betsa, senior outfielder Kelly Christner and junior first baseman/RHP Tera Blanco.
Renewals for currently season-ticket holders will be made available in mid-December. Pending availability and inventory, new season tickets will be available in January. For more ticket information and details, please visit the U-M Ticket Office website.
Communications Contact: Leah Howard
