Army Opens Season at Seahawk Softball Bash

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point softball team is set to open its season Feb. 12-14 at the Seahawk Softball Bash in Wilmington, N.C. The Black Knights will face Saint Francis (Pa.) and Eastern Kentucky twice and the host UNC Wilmington once with the first pitch set for 4 p.m. on Friday.

HOW TO FOLLOW
TOURNAMENT CENTRAL • http://uncwsports.com/sports/2016/2/10/2016SeahawkSoftballBashCentral.aspx
LIVE STATISTICS • http://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statbroadcast.php?gid=uncw&theme=uncw
TWITTER • @ArmyWP_Softball
TICKETS • https://tkt.xosn.com//tickets/TicketHome.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19800

"Every year is a new team with new personnel," said head coach Michelle DePolo. "We've got a large roster with several new players who all are making positive contributions to the success of this team on a daily basis. We also have returners with experience and players competing in new positions. So, expectations are to see exactly what we've got and where, and how some people are coming out of off season and preseason workouts. I expect us to compete in every pitch, execute our game plan, play loose and smooth and quickly work through any adversity."

Army is set to open its season a week before any other Patriot League opponent, which will provide the Cadets with certain advantages.

"The earlier we can get out on dirt and get some games under our belt, the better it's going to make our team and our unit in the like run," explained DePolo. "Early games provide a great litmus test of where we are and what things we need to work as we approach the rest of the competitive season. I'm sure all the other teams are the same."

The Black Knights' debut will be against the Red Flash on Feb. 12, at 4 p.m. The Cadets will then face the Colonels at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday the 13th, Army takes on UNC Wilmington at 12:30 p.m. and Eastern Kentucky later in the day at 5:30 p.m. The Cadets will close-out the weekend with a game against Saint Francis on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

This will be the first ever meeting against both Saint Francis and Eastern Kentucky, while the Black Knights and Seahawks have faced each other twice with both teams tallying a win.

Last season, the Black Knights finished with an overall record of 23-27, and closed-out conference play at No. 4 with a 9-9 record in the Patriot League. Army lost just three starters and returns all of its pitching talent. For the 2016 season, Army boasts a roster of 21, which features seven returning starters and nine competitive freshmen.

The Patriot League announced preseason awards on Thursday with cadet infielder Kasey McCravey headlining as the Player of the Year. The second-year captain was joined by sophomore utility player Emily Gray on the All-League Team. Earlier this month, McCravey and junior pitcher Kristen West were recognized by College Sports Madness as preseason first team All-Conference recipients.

"The team's energy is great," Depolo said. "They are very self-aware, and aware of how their individual presences affect the greater good of the team. Before the season began, most of them labeled energy and focus as the top things they intended on bringing to practice each day. The fact that they have been so self-motivated to do that has made workouts up until this point very productive."

For up-to-date information about Army softball, please follow @ArmyWP_Softball on Twitter.

Army Opens Season at Seahawk Softball Bash

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Players Mentioned

Emily Gray

Kasey McCravey

Kristen West

Army West Point Athletics