ELON, N.C. – Elon Athletics and head softball coach Patti Raduenz announced today the 2005 softball schedule. The Phoenix will play at least seven games against teams that made it to the NCAA Tournament last season. Elon will play two games each against North Carolina and Illinois- Chicago and will face Chattanooga three times. The squad will play in four tournaments, including hosting the Elon Invitational on February 18-20. The Phoenix opens the season at the Triangle Classic on February 11-13, hosted by North Carolina and will also play in the East Carolina Pirate Classic on March 4-6 and the Bethune-Cookman Tournament on March 18-20.

Elon opens the home season against North Carolina on February 23 in a 2:00 p.m. doubleheader. The Phoenix also welcomes non-conference opponents Winthrop, Oakland, North Dakota State, Illinois- Chicago, North Carolina A&T and Campbell to East Field. The squad will travel to non-conference opponents Coastal Carolina, Charlotte and North Carolina State.

Elon opens the conference season on March 25 in an away match up with Appalachian State. The Phoenix will also travel to College of Charleston and Furman. The squad hosts conference schools UNC Greensboro, East Tennessee State, Georgia Southern and Chattanooga.

The Southern Conference Tournament will be held in Charleston, S.C. on May 12-15.

–ELON–