Deifel, Razorbacks Announce 2018 Schedule
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On the heels of a season in which the program returned to postseason play, head coach Courtney Deifel and the Razorbacks turn their attention to 2018 with Wednesday’s release of the team’s schedule. Featuring 25 home games at Bogle Park and 12 opponents that played in last year’s NCAA Tournament, Arkansas’ campaign begins Feb. 9 at the Lion Classic in Hammond, La., while the team’s home opener is set for Feb. 28 against Missouri State.
“We are excited about what this 2018 schedule brings,” Deifel said. “We will be challenged and tested all year with both our non-conference and, of course, our conference schedules. We have two home tournaments that will bring great competition to Bogle Park early in the year. We are looking forward to seeing our team come together and compete.”
#RazorFacts
- 25 home games at Bogle Park
- Home opener: Feb. 28 vs Missouri State (5 p.m.)
- SEC home opener: March 23-25 vs Missouri
- 29 (of 55) games against 12 opponents that played in last year’s NCAA Tournament
- All eight SEC opponents advanced to NCAA Tournament
- Five (5) opponents advanced to Super Regionals
- vs Utah (Feb. 17 in Palm Springs)
- vs Alabama (April 13-15 in Fayetteville)
- at Auburn (April 20-22 in Auburn)
- vs Ole Miss (April 28-30 in Fayetteville)
- at LSU (May 4-6 in Baton Rouge); advanced to Women’s College World Series
- Seven (7) first-time opponents: Kennesaw State, Manhattan, Delaware, Dartmouth, Central Connecticut State, St. Francis (Pa.), Nebraska-Omaha
2018 Arkansas Softball Schedule (.pdf)
The Razorbacks open the season with three-consecutive weekends on the road including trips to California and Florida for the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic and Madeira Beach Spring Invitational, respectively. During the first three weekends of the season, Arkansas will face eight teams that finished top three in their respective conferences last season including three teams—Utah, Fordham and McNeese—that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
As part of its home schedule, Arkansas will host two non-conference tournaments in the Razorback Invitational (March 2-4) and Wooo Pig Classic (March 16-18). The Wooo Pig Classic marks the start of a 13-game home stand that also features a midweek doubleheader against UT Arlington and SEC series against Missouri and Mississippi State. Arkansas will also host league matchups with Alabama (April 13-15) and Ole Miss (April 28-30).
This year’s SEC rotation will send the Razorbacks on the road to face Georgia (March 10-12), South Carolina (April 6-8), Auburn (April 20-22) and LSU (May 4-6). Arkansas also has midweek road doubleheaders scheduled at Wichita State and Saint Louis.
Postseason play begins May 9-12 with the SEC Tournament hosted by Missouri in Columbia. The collegiate softball season culminates May 31 through June 6 with the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. As games times and television appearances are confirmed, those details will be released at a later date.
For more information about Arkansas Softball, follow @RazorbackSB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
