The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Announces 2004 Softball Schedule
9/25/2003 | Softball
Sept. 25, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. - With momentum and experience on its side, the Ole Miss softball team looks forward to its greatest challenge with the 2004 schedule, which has been announced by Rebel head coach Candi Letts. Ole Miss boasts 14 home dates in the spring.
The Rebels hope to continue the success they enjoyed at the close of last year. Over the final month, Ole Miss posted victories over No. 10 Georgia, No. 18 South Carolina and Tennessee and also took the season series from rival Mississippi State for the first time since 1999.
With all but one position starter returning and 12 of 18 letterwinners back, the Rebels prepare for a potent non-conference slate, leading up to the always challenging 30-game Southeastern Conference schedule.
Ole Miss begins the new season with possibly its greatest test ever. Opening up at the Arizona Pepsi Classic, Feb. 6-8 in Tuscon, Ariz., the Rebels will be matched up with softball dynasty Arizona, which has competed in 16 straight Women's College World Series. The Wildcats finished No. 1 in the 2003 final regular-season rankings.
Ole Miss follows up the Arizona trip with its home-opening tournament, the Rebel/Easton Invitational, Feb. 13-15 at Ole Miss Softball Complex. Other non-SEC action includes the Mardi Gras Tournament in Thibodeaux, La., the Speedline Invitational in Plant City, Fla., and road series at North Carolina, Southern Miss and UT-Martin.
"This is by far the toughest schedule we've faced in a long time," said Letts, who enters her sixth season at the helm. "Arizona is a team that could be No. 1 in the nation and picked to win the national title. The Speedline Invitational will have a number of ranked teams, while North Carolina is an ACC powerhouse. We've also greatly improved the quality of teams at our own tournament.
"Our conference schedule is second to none, as is the case every year. It's going to be a tremendous challenge, but one that this team will be ready to face."
After coming so close the last two seasons, Ole Miss is firmly pointed toward its first appearance at the SEC Tournament, which moves on campus in 2004 for the first time. The event will be held at Alabama Softball Complex in Tuscaloosa, May 13-16.
Standing in the Rebels' way is the usual cast of conference powers, such as perennial top-25 foes Alabama (Apr. 3-4 in Oxford), Georgia (Apr. 10-11 in Athens), LSU (Apr. 17-18 in Oxford), and South Carolina (Apr. 24-25 in Columbia).
The fierce Ole Miss-Mississippi State rivalry will be renewed Apr. 20-21 in Starkville. The Rebels took 2-of-3 in last year's series on dramatic walk-off home runs by All-SEC designated player DeDe Justice in each victory.
Justice and the Rebels tune up for the upcoming campaign Oct. 4-5 with the Ole Miss Softball Fall Classic, presented by Southeastern Sports Management. The annual tournament has been moved to Greenbrook Park in Southaven, Miss., and the field will include Delta State, Christian Brothers, Mississippi Valley State, Northeast Mississippi Community College and Northwest Mississippi Community College.
For more information on the tournament, visit Southeastern Sports Management's official website at www.ssmsports.com.
OLE MISS SOFTBALL 2004 SCHEDULE
Feb. 6-8 Arizona Pepsi Classic Tuscon, Ariz.Feb. 13-15 Rebel/Easton Invitational Oxford, Miss.Feb. 20-22 Mardi Gras Tournament Thibodeaux, La.Feb. 28-29 at North Carolina Chapel Hill, N.C.Mar. 4-7 Speedline Invitational Tampa, Fla.Mar. 13-14 Kentucky Oxford, Miss.Mar. 16 at Southern Miss Hattiesburg, Miss.Mar. 20-21 at Auburn Auburn, Ala.Mar. 24 at UT-Martin Martin, Tenn.Mar. 27-28 Florida Oxford, Miss.Mar. 31 Birmingham-Southern Oxford, Miss.Apr. 3-4 Alabama Oxford, Miss.Apr. 10-11 at Georgia Athens, Ga.Apr. 13-14 Arkansas Oxford, Miss.Apr. 17-18 LSU Oxford, Miss.Apr. 20-21 at Mississippi State Starkville, Miss.Apr. 24-25 at South Carolina Columbia, S.C.May 1-2 at Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn.May 13-16 SEC Tournament Tuscaloosa, Ala.
