Aces open season in 10 days
When the 2020 season was cut short for the University of Evansville softball team due to the pandemic, it was an unfortunate break for a Purple Aces squad who won four of its six games leading to MVC play. With the majority of that team coming back, the Aces are ready to get back on the field in 2021.
Evansville wrapped up last season with a 12-11 mark, but was playing its best softball at the time of the cutoff. UE went 3-2 in the Red & Black Challenge in Louisville with a win over Big Ten opponent Illinois highlighting the weekend. An 11-0 victory against Purdue Fort Wayne in the home opener saw the Aces grab even more momentum heading into the league slate, which was set to begin four days later.
“We are really happy with the way the schedule turned out this spring. Our ladies are so excited to finally be able to get back on the diamond and compete against other teams,†UE head softball coach Mat Mundell said. “We do understand there may be challenges along the way the team has done a tremendous job of being open and understanding. We hope to build off the foundation we set last spring. We are just so grateful for the opportunity to be able to play again.â€
With student-athletes able to get their year back for 2020 competition and the 2021 MVC Softball Championship coming to Cooper Stadium, the program is on the rise heading into the season. A trip to Natchitoches, Louisiana marks the season opener with the Aces taking part in the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission Lady Demon Classic, which will be hosted by Northwestern State. UE begins on Friday, Feb. 12 against UT Martin before wrapping up opening day with a game against Arkansas Pine Bluff.
Day two of the season pits the Aces against the host Lady Demons. Last season, they were 15-7 and earned 30 wins in 2019. Game two of the day will be a rematch against Arkansas Pine Bluff. The tournament will be completed on the 14th with a morning game versus Northwestern State.
Another trip south awaits the Aces when they travel to Montgomery, Alabama for week two of action. The Black & Gold Tournament will be hosted by Alabama State. UE starts the weekend on Friday, Feb. 19 against Middle Tennessee State before facing the ASU Hornets to complete the day. On the 20th, the Aces take on UT Martin for the second weekend in a row before squaring off against Alabama A&M. Sunday’s action features a rematch against MTSU.
Week three of the season pits the Aces against a pair of Tennessee schools at the Frost Classic. Set for Feb. 27 and 28, UE faces Tennessee Tech in the opening game each day before facing Chattanooga in the afternoon. In 2019, Chattanooga want 37-17 on its way to the Southern Conference Championship and a berth in the NCAA regionals.
March begins on Wednesday the 3rd with a doubleheader at Bellarmine. Home action starts that weekend with a 4-game series versus Purdue Fort Wayne on the 6th and 7th. There will be a doubleheader each day. Information for the weekend of March 13 will be announced soon.
Missouri Valley Conference play opens on March 20-21 with a 3-game set against Loyola. In the shortened 2020 season, the Ramblers were 12-9. A midweek contest pits the Aces against SIU Edwardsville. They were rolling a year ago – winning 13 out of their 18 games. League play continues on the 27th with a 3-game home set against Valparaiso before UE welcomes UT Martin for a doubleheader on the 30th. It will be the third time the squads will face off in 2021.
In its first conference road series, the Aces travel to UNI on Friday, April 2 and Saturday the 3rd. It is the first of three consecutive weekends on the road. UE heads to Southern Illinois on April 10-11 before continuing at Drake on the 17th and 18th of April. SIU had the league’s top record in 2020 – 15-6.
On April 21, UE returns home for a doubleheader against Indiana State before welcoming Illinois State for a 3-game series on the 24th and 25th. Following a trip to Indiana State on the 28th, the Aces host Bradley in their final home series of the regular season on May 1-2. A road trip to Missouri State completes the regular season on May 8-9.
The MVC Tournament will be held at Cooper Stadium and runs from May 12-15.
