UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State softball team released its challenging 2015 slate, which features 11 teams that advanced to the NCAA postseason, head coach Amanda Lehotak announced Wednesday (Oct. 29).
Kansas, Fordham, Georgia, James Madison, Missouri, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Big Ten foes Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Northwestern, all of whom made NCAA Regional appearances, are on the Nittany Lions' schedule.
"I'm really happy with our schedule," Lehotak said. "We face some of the top teams in the nation in the beginning of the season. They'll be good tests for Big Ten play, which is always challenging."
Penn State opens its 2015 campaign at the Florida Atlantic University "Kick-Off" Classic Feb. 6-8 with Arkansas, Kansas, Georgia Tech and Long Island.
The Nittany Lions then travel to College Station for the Aggie Classic, hosted by Texas A&M Feb. 13-15. The tournament includes Missouri State and Eastern Michigan.
A two-game set follows Feb. 21-22 at Mississippi State, before Penn State's biggest test of nonconference play at the Citrus Classic II in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 27-March 1. The Blue and White will be joined by NCAA Postseason opponents Fordham, Missouri, Georgia and James Madison, as well as Omaha.
On March 10-12, the Nittany Lions venture out west for a three-game set at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. They will then drive to California's state capital to compete in the Capital Classic hosted by Sacramento State March 13-15 with Grand Canyon and Loyola Marymount.
Penn State hosts its first game of the season on Wed., March 18 with its first of two games against Pitt at 5 p.m. before embarking on Big Ten play. The first conference series for the Blue and White is March 20-22 at Beard Field against Northwestern.
A Big Ten series at Michigan State follows March 27-29, followed by a non-conference doubleheader in University Park against Bucknell on April 1.
On April 3 and 4, Penn State and Wisconsin face off in Madison, Wis. The Nittany Lions then host a pair of Big Ten series, with a twin bill versus Ohio State on April 8 and single games against Indiana April 10-12.
The Blue and White travel to Pitt for its second game of 2015 against the Panthers April 15 at 6 p.m., preceding a three-game series at Maryland April 17-19.
A midweek non-conference doubleheader against St. Francis is up next for Penn State April 22 at 5 p.m, followed by a Big Ten series at home against Rutgers April 24-26.
The Nittany Lions close out the regular season at Michigan May 1-3 before the Big Ten Tournament May 7-9.