ELON, N.C. – Highlighted by eight teams that made the postseason and 28 games on its home diamond at Hunt Softball Park, the Elon University softball team and head coach Kathy Bocock released the program's 2023 schedule on Thursday, Dec. 1.
 
The Phoenix is scheduled to play 49 total games during the 2023 regular season against 26 different opponents, including 14 that posted winning records in 2022. Elon will face three teams that finished in the top 35 in 2022 RPI including two teams in the top 25 that will play at Hunt Softball Park. Five teams from Power 5 conferences are also slated on the maroon and gold's ledger.

"Every year, we work on putting together a very competitive and exciting schedule for our players," said Bocock. "I'm very pleased with the number of quality programs that we play this year as well as looking forward to playing some new teams in the expanded (Colonial Athletic Association). I think our schedule will challenge us to be the best softball team we can be as we strive for our goal to compete for a CAA championship."
 
THE SCHEDULE
The Phoenix begins the 2023 season with the Elon Softball Classic on Feb. 10-12, the first of two home tournaments this season for the maroon and gold. Elon opens against Southern Indiana on Friday, Feb. 10 as the Screaming Eagles make their transition to Division I after reaching the NCAA Division II championship game last season. The Phoenix will also face Winthrop and Morgan State at the tournament.
 
After a midweek contest at North Carolina on Feb. 15, the program hosts its second tournament, the Elon Phoenix Invitational on Feb. 17-19. Joining Elon in the five-team field include Fordham, Michigan State, Saint Francis (Pa.) and former Colonial Athletic Association rival James Madison.
 
Elon visits its second ACC foe on the young season heading to NC State for a midweek matchup on Feb. 22. The Phoenix will then travel to the Liberty Softball Classic on Feb. 24-26 where it will face the field of Princeton, Northern Illinois, Marshall and host Liberty. Two of those teams (Princeton and Liberty) reached the regional round of the NCAA Tournament last season.
 
March begins with a midweek contest against East Carolina on March 1 before facing UNCG for a three-game set on March 3-5. The following week, Elon hosts Detroit Mercy (March 7) in a single game.
 
The CAA portion of the Phoenix's schedule begins with a series against league newcomer Stony Brook on March 11-12. Elon then plays its third ACC program on the schedule hosting Notre Dame on March 14. The Fighting Irish is coming off an NCAA Regional appearance and finished the year ranked 22^nd in RPI.
 
Elon resumes CAA play with a trip to New Jersey to face another league newcomer in Monmouth on March 18-19. The Phoenix returns to the home confines of Hunt Softball Park the following weekend for a three-game set against Towson on March 25-26.
 
A trip to Hampton on April 1-2 begins the month before Elon faces Duke in a home-and-home matchup on April 7-8. The Blue Devils reached the NCAA Super Regionals last season and finished the year ranked 12^th in the country in only its fourth year of existence. The Phoenix will then host North Carolina Central in a twin bill on April 11.
 
A rematch of last year's CAA championship is next on deck for the maroon and gold as Elon welcomes UNCW on April 15-16. The Seahawks defeated the Phoenix during the championship at the league tournament last season which was held at Hunt Softball Park. Following that series, Elon will head to Hofstra on April 22-23.
 
The Phoenix concludes its home schedule on April 29-30 against College of Charleston. Elon closes out the regular season at CAA newcomer and longtime Triad rival North Carolina A&T on May 5-6.
 
The 2023 CAA Softball Championships is set to take place on May 9-13 hosted by Hofstra at Bill Edwards Stadium. The top eight teams in the league standings will qualify for the championship tournament.