Feb. 9, 2006

Boca Raton, Fla. –
The South Carolina softball team opens its 2006 season on Friday at the Florida Atlantic Tournament in Boca Raton, Fla. The Gamecocks will face the Purdue Boilermakers at 9 a.m. on Friday, immediately followed by an 11 a.m. contest against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

After facing Purdue and Pitt on Friday morning, USC will take on Bethune-Cookman and Florida Atlantic in a Saturday evening doubleheader. The game against the Wildcats is slated for a 4 p.m. start, with first pitch in the nightcap set for 8 p.m. against the host Owls. The Gamecocks will wrap up the tournament on Sunday, with a pair of games in bracket play.

Carolina will then return to Columbia and host Winthrop in their 2006 home opener on Jan. 15 at Beckham Field. The first half of the doubleheader with the Eagles is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. The second game will follow the conclusion of the opener.