Posted: Feb 27, 2018

Salve Regina softball announces its 2018 schedule

Salve Regina softball opens at recently renovated Toppa Field on March 7.

NEWPORT, R.I. - A brand new field turf awaits opening day for Salve Regina University softball on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, when the Seahawks host the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University in a doubleheader at Toppa Field.

In addition to the always-ready-to-play surface at Toppa Field, second-year head coach Jannelle Iaquinto will accommodate the visiting and home teams with covered dugouts, batting cages, bullpen area, and a six-foot high outfield fence. After the season-opening doubleheader, the Seahawks fly south for a 10-game schedule at the Osceola Softball Complex in Kissimmee, Fla.

"Our 2018 schedule is certainly competitive. Each of our opponents will challenge us physically and mentally and help us prepare for post season play. We enter the season with a solid mix of returners and new players who are eager to come together to defend their 2017 conference title."

The Seahawks will be facing six of their 10 Florida opponents for the first-time ever (Ithaca, Kean, Marietta, Plattsburgh St., Rowan, and Wm. Paterson). Salve Regina and Springfield met as recently as last May in the NCAA Division III Regionals hosted by the Pride; the Seahawks won that first-ever meeting, 7-4. Ithaca (No. 19) and Kean (No. 23) are currently ranked in the latest NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll.

Upon returning from the Sunshine State, Salve Regina opens its Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) slate with a pair of games at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Mass. (March 25), and then another road trip to Bristol, R.I., to face Roger Williams University.

"With the new turf at Toppa, we can now serve as a game site whenever our opponents' home field may be unplayable," remarks Iaquinto. "That should mean less shuffling of our game dates, and less missed class time for our student athletes."

Salve Regina has an 18-game league schedule with nine doubleheader dates (four home and five away). The Seahawks continue to play regional powers in non-league contests such as UMass Boston, Eastern Connecticut State, Wheaton, MIT, and Mitchell.

Follow the Seahawks all season long with their schedule featured at http://www.salveathletics.com/sports/sball/2017-18/schedule; links to live stats, video, and directions available on all home contests and most non-Toppa Field games.

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2018 Salve Regina softball schedule:
Regular Season Games (40)
Home (14)
Away (16)
Neutral (10)
Florida (10)
Toppa Field (14)
CCC (18)
Morning Starts (7)
Afternoon Starts (27)
Evening Starts (6)