BALTIMORE, Md. – First-year Coppin State head softball coach Ty Robinson has released his 2015 schedule, a slate in which the Eagles will be on the road for 76 percent of the season.
The opening slate includes four tournaments and 19 consecutive contests off-campus. Overall, Coppin State will play 10 of its 42 games at home.
“It is good for us to all be together again,” Robinson said. “We have added two players to the mix, for the spring. We are excited that opening day is less than a month away. This group works extremely hard and understands the importance of preparation. Every day from here on out, we understand the challenge ahead to get better together.”
Coppin State’s non-conference portion of the schedule includes opponents from nine different conferences (SEC, Ohio Valley, Big South, Northeast, America East, Big 10, Colonial Athletic Association, Patriot League and Atlantic 10).
The season begins on Thursday, Feb. 5 when the Eagles head to Athens, Ga. to face the University of Georgia, the 2014 SEC tournament champions who advanced to the NCAA Athens Super Regional. Coppin State will spend Feb. 6-8 competing in Bulldogs’ Red and Black Showcase taking on Murray State, Winthrop, Illinois and Georgia over the course of three days.
The Eagles have their home opener on Thursday, Mar. 19 against Lafayette at 3 p.m. Coppin State will continue home play that weekend to open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) competition against Norfolk State in a three-game series on Saturday, Mar. 21 and Sunday, Mar. 22. Coppin State will follow that series by heading on an eight-game road trip that will include three-game sets against conference foes Maryland-Eastern Shore (Mar. 28-29) and Howard (Apr. 3-4).
Coppin State visits Drexel on Wednesday, Apr. 8 before returning home to host MEAC rival Delaware State in another three-game series on Apr. 11-12. The Eagles quickly jump back on the road, making trips to George Washington (Apr. 15) and Delaware (Apr. 21) before heading to Hampton, Va. for a three-game match-up against MEAC foe Hampton (Apr. 25-26).
The Lady Eagles close out the regular season at home with a three-game weekend conference finale against cross-town rival Morgan State on Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3.
The MEAC Tournament will take place from Thursday, May 7 through Saturday, May 9 in Ormond Beach, Fla.
Coppin State welcomes back 10 letter-winners from last year’s team including senior Candice Van Horn and junior Alyssa Barker. Van Horn was named to the 2014 All-MEAC First Team and College Sports Madness All-MEAC First Team. She led Coppin State in 11 categories, including batting average (.410), runs scored (38) and hits (48). Nationally among Division I players, Van Horn ranked 44th in runs per game, 53rd in stolen bases per game, 55th in slugging percentage, 68th in on-base percentage and 69th in batting average.
Barker was second on the team with a .330 batting average and 10 multi-hit games. She led the Eagles with nine doubles and started last season with a seven-game hitting streak. While pitching, Barker compiled a 10-17 record with 18 complete games. She finished with a 4.30 earned runs average in 143.1 innings pitched.