ELON, NC --Elon softball head coach Patti Raduenz today released the Phoenix schedule for the 2003 softball season.

The Phoenix, who finished the regular season second in the Big South in 2002, will participate in four tournaments, including the season opener at the Triangle Classic in Raleigh, NC held February 14-16. Other tournament appearances include the Elon Invitational (featuring Delaware State and Marist) on campus, the Elon Phoenix Classic held at Burlington City Park and the University of Maryland-Baltimore County Tournament in Baltimore, MD.

The Phoenix will travel to non-conference foes Gardner-Webb, Charlotte, East Carolina, Furman and East Tennessee State. The squad will square off against non-conference opponents Campbell, UNC Greensboro, Birmingham-Southern, Belmont, North Carolina A&T, Virginia, North Carolina and Appalachian State at East Field in 2003.

Also appearing on the slate will be road contests with Big South members Coastal Carolina, Radford and Charleston Southern. Big South home tilts will include Winthrop and Liberty.

Raduenz says of her schedule, "It poses a challenging opportunity, preparing for the Big South and the Southern Conference, but with teams like Virginia, North Carolina, East Carolina and Maryland Baltimore County I feel we will be prepared.  We will not overlook any opponent we face. Our goal is the same for every game: To play at our best for every out of every inning of every game."

--ELON--