COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – It's an exciting schedule for head coach Danielle Penner's first season at the helm of the Tennessee Tech softball team with challenging opponents, new faces – both for and against, and a radically different Ohio Valley Conference lineup.

 

The Golden Eagles open the season on February 10 as Tech heads to Montgomery, Ala., to compete in the Alabama State Stinger Classic. Tech opens up the first day with Western Carolina, then the first of three straight games against Kennesaw State – including a twinbill on Feb. 11 – followed by a single game on the 12th with tournament host Alabama State.

 

The road contests continue as the Golden Eagles go to Charleston, S.C., to play in the College of Charleston Cougar Classic. The first day includes contests against Boston and Canisius, then the second includes another meeting with the Golden Griffins and the first of two games against the host Cougars. Tech takes on College of Charleston in the Sunday finale.

 

The Golden Eagles close out the month of February as with two contests against Jacksonville and South Carolina at the Mercer Bear Invitational.

 

March opens as Tech returns to Auburn for the second time since the 2015 NCAA Regional, this time for the SEC school's Jane B. Moore Memorial. The Golden Eagles open the tourney with a pair of games against Bowling Green and South Alabama, then see the Falcons and the host Tigers on the second day before Tech wraps up with South Alabama on the final day.

 

After a midweek contest against perennial Southeastern Conference power Tennessee on March 8, Tech will host a tournament for the second season in a row, bringing in Ohio and Robert Morris for the two-day affair. The Golden Eagles will play the Bobcats and the Colonials on the Friday, then reverse the order in the Saturday contests to close out tournament play.

 

Following a midweek non-conference doubleheader at home against Western Illinois, Tech will begin Ohio Valley Conference play on March 18 as Morehead State comes to town. On March 25 and 26, the Golden Eagles will travel to OVC newcomer Lindenwood for a three-game set.

 

Bellarmine returns to the Tech Softball Field for the second year in a row, playing in a single contest on March 29.

 

April opens with a three-game visit from Southeast Missouri on the 1st and 2nd, then Tech heads to Nashville to take on Lipscomb in a single contest on the 4th before heading to Martin to take on UT Martin on the 7th and 8th.

 

Tech returns home for five straight games as Eastern Illinois comes in on April 15 and 16, then a doubleheader with East Tennessee State on the 18th.

 

The regular season concludes as Tech heads to SIUE for three games from April 22-23, hosts Tennessee State on April 29-30, then the team's first trip up to OVC newcomer Southern Indiana on May 6-7.

 

The OVC Softball Championship returns to Oxford, Ala., for another season at Choccolocco Park, starting on May 10.

 

All events at the Tech Softball Field are free to the public.

 

Follow the Tech softball team and Tech athletics on social media and at TTUsports.com for schedule changes.