2018 AUM Softball Schedule

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Auburn Montgomery head softball coach Eric Newell announced the program's schedule for the 2018 season on Friday afternoon, a schedule highlighted by 17 home dates and a full slate of Gulf South Conference contests this year.  
 
"First thing that comes to mind about the 2018 season is playing a full Gulf South Conference schedule," said Newell. "We're excited by that and looking forward to the challenge that comes with it."
 
AUM went 25-18 last season, with victories over GSC foes #13 Valdosta State, #17 Alabama Huntsville, Christian Brothers, Mississippi College and West Florida.
 
After having only 14 home games last season the Warhawks will play 27 contests at the AUM Softball Complex. AUM will also take part in the 2018 GSC Opening Weekend Festival hosted by the city of Montgomery, giving the Warhawks 30 games inside city limits.
 
"We do have a lot of home games this year but I do think that is because we were away so much last year that we have a lot of return trips," added Newell. "So as bad as it was last year, we're excited to have so many games at home in 2018."
 
The Warhawks will open the season on Feb. 2 at the 2018 Gulf Coast Invitational, playing the University of Mobile in the season opener at 2:30 p.m. followed by a contest against Peach Belt Conference power North Georgia at 4:45 p.m. The following day AUM will take on Sunshine State Conference foes Barry University and Eckerd College to close out the weekend.
 
"We also have a great non-conference schedule, opening in Gulf Shores (Ala.)," said Newell. "We drew North Georgia, which is a perennial NCAA Division II power, so we'll play them on day one and we're looking forward to that after not faring too well against them last season."
 
AUM will then host a tournament of their own, bringing Clark Atlanta, Columbus State and Spring Hill College for a weekend of games. The Warhawks will open the tournament on Feb. 10 with an 11 a.m. contest against Clark Atlanta followed by a contest against SHC at 4 p.m. The following day AUM will take on Spring Hill again before facing Columbus State in the final game of the tournament.  
 
"That second weekend in February has been something that even from our NAIA days we've hosted a tournament, so we've tried to continue that tradition," said Newell. "Spring Hill, who we played home and away last year, is a quality program that usually wins 30-40 games each year, Columbus State, who I think is going to be great rivalry for years to come and Clark Atlanta is a place that we played at last year and this year they decided to return the favor and come play at our tournament."
 
The Warhawks will then take part in the GSC Opening Weekend Festival on Feb. 17-18, playing conference foes Mississippi College, Union University and North Alabama. AUM will host its first league series on Feb. 24-25 when the Warhawks welcome Alabama Huntsville to campus.
 
AUM's first GSC road series will be three-game set against Delta State University on Mar. 3-4, followed by a non-conference doubleheader with Blue Mountain College on Mar. 5.
 
The Warhawks will host GSC foes West Alabama and Valdosta State over the next two weekends, before playing host to non-conference foe Huntingdon College on Mar. 20 in doubleheader action.
 
AUM will hit the road for a pair of three-game series against Lee University on Mar. 23-24 and Montevallo on Mar. 30-31 in league play. Georgia Southwestern State will come to campus on April 4 for a twin bill beginning at 2 p.m., before the Warhawks restart GSC play with Shorter April 7-8.
 
A road trip to West Florida for a three game series on April 14-15 followed by a non-conference doubleheader at Albany State on April 18 will lead to up to AUM's final home series of the season against Christian Brothers April 21-22.
 
A three-game series on the road against conference opponent West Georgia on April 28-29 will close out the 2018 season.
 
"Overall it's a tough schedule, but part of that is because we're in the Gulf South," added Newell.
 
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