By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – In the 11 months since the Tennessee Tech softball team last took to the diamond, things have become tremendously different as the world has effectively changed.
One thing that hasn't changed is the want to compete and win.
And when the Golden Eagles take the field again one week from today, there will be a lot of familiar faces and a few new ones ready to bring the Ohio Valley Conference championship back to Cookeville for the first time since 2015.
The team's 2021 schedule was announced Friday after the OVC approved the latest changes to the league format. As with all schedules this season in response to the COVID-19 situation as well as weather, the dates and times are subject to change.
The season starts on Feb. 12 as the Golden Eagles head down to Montgomery, Ala., for a five-game set in the Alabama State tournament. Tech will see Western Carolina in the first game at 10 a.m., then face North Alabama on the 12th and 13th, before taking on host Alabama State. Tech closes out the event with a game against Notre Dame at 9 a.m. on the 14th.
After not getting to host a home game last season with the COVID cancellations, the Golden Eagles will get to entertain an opponent for the first time since May 28, 2019, as East Tennessee State comes in for a visit with a single game on Feb. 19 and a doubleheader on Feb. 20.
The pre-conference slate continues on Feb. 27 and 28 as the Golden Eagles will compete in a round-robin in Chattanooga with a pair of games against Evansville and two against the host Mocs.
The OVC slate returns to its previously held three-game format with a doubleheader on one day and a single game on the other, while each school's travel partner – Tech and Jacksonville State, in this case – will have a midweek home-and-home doubleheader.
The Golden Eagles open the OVC schedule on March 6 and 7 with a trip to Nashville to take on Tennessee State, then Tech opens its home OVC schedule on March 13 and 14 with Southeast Missouri.
Additionally in league play, Tech will see Eastern Illinois (March 27-28), Austin Peay (April 2-3), SIUE (April 17-18), Jacksonville State (April 20) and UT Martin (May 8-9) at home at the Tech Softball Field.
The Golden Eagles will also travel to Morehead State (March 20-21), Jacksonville State (March 30), Murray State (April 9-10), Eastern Kentucky (April 24-25) and Belmont (May 1-2).
Tech will also see some midweek non-conference contests as the Golden Eagles host Chattanooga (March 24), travel to Tennessee (April 7) and travel to Western Kentucky (April 28).
The OVC Softball Tournament will be held May 12-15 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.
All games at the Tech Softball Field are free to the public, but COVID restrictions will be in place. Details on those will come at a later date. Selected games will also be broadcast on ESPN+ (subscription required) with the schedule still to be determined.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
