Nov. 15, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
As the South Carolina softball program enters its 32nd season, the 2006 schedule has been released and the Gamecocks are set for four tournaments, six non-conference match ups and 30 SEC games. USC opens the season Feb. 10 against Purdue at the Florida Atlantic Invitational, while its home opener is Feb. 15 against Winthrop.

In addition to Purdue at the FAU Tournament, will play Pittsburgh, Bethune-Cookman and the host school, FAU. Following FAU, USC will travel to Tallahassee for the Seminole Classic Feb. 17-18. In that tournament, the Gamecocks will face FSU, Minnesota and Iowa State. USC hosts North Carolina State and Fordham University in the USC Round Robin Feb. 25-26 and will close out tournament play March 3-5 at the North Carolina Tournament in Chapel Hill. Participating in the UNC Tournament will be Memphis, Princeton, North Dakota State and Canisius.

Beginning Feb. 22 with a single game against Charlotte, the Gamecocks will begin a four-day home stint. After Charlotte and the USC Round Robin tournament, USC will host Campbell in a doubleheader on Feb. 28. The Garnet and Black will also host Eastern Kentucky on March 15 and College of Charleston on March 21. For the first time since 2000, the Gamecocks return to Blacksburg, Va. for a doubleheader against Virginia Tech on March 28.

Southeastern Conference play begins March 11 at Alabama. This year, USC will also travel to Mississippi State, LSU, Tennessee and Florida. South Carolina’s conference home schedule will feature Kentucky, Georgia, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Auburn. The SEC Tournament will be held in Athens, Ga. this year, May 11-14.

Five of the Gamecocks’ 2006 opponents were ranked in the final Top 25 NFCA/USA Today poll. Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Bethune-Cookman and Auburn all finished the season ranked. Florida, Mississippi State and Florida State were receiving votes. Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia were all ranked in the top 10.

For the full Gamecock softball schedule, visit www.uscsports.com.