Dec. 17, 2002
Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky University Hilltopper softball team has unveiled its 2003 schedule, which includes 10 games against five 2002 NCAA Tournament teams (Alabama, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Evansville, Eastern Kentucky and Louisiana-Lafayette). WKU could also add two more NCAA Tournament teams (Liberty and Georgia Tech) to their schedule, depending on how they fare in tournament play.
The Hilltoppers, who return 10 letterwinners, including three of four all-Sun Belt Conference selections, from a team that went 37-22 and tied for second in the SBC last season, kickoff the season on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) at their first of six regular season tournaments, the University of Alabama Tournament. Western will also play in the Frost Classic Tournament (hosted by Chattanooga on Feb. 2-March 2), Georgia Tech Buzz Classic (March 21-23) and the University of Tennessee Tournament (March 28-29).
WKU Softball Field will also be the site of three tournaments this season as the Hilltoppers will host their third annual Hilltopper Spring Classic (March 14-16) and WKU's Big Red Blast (March 8-9), as well as the SBC Conference Tournament (May 8-10). The Hilltopper Spring Classic and WKU's Big Red Blast come in the midst of a 14-day homestand.
Fresh off a school-record 37 wins, the 2003 Hilltoppers will count on all-conference players Riley Garcia, Kristalyn Smith and Jessie Richardson to extend the program's success even farther. Head coach Leslie Phelan's squad will play their first home game of the season on Feb. 25, when they play host to Tennessee Tech at 2 p.m. (CST).
- WKU -
