Softball Announces 2004 Schedule

NORMAN, Okla. The Oklahoma softball program announced its 2004 schedule which is jam packed with preconference tournaments and marquee home Big 12 games. OU begins the season with seven tournaments, including two hosted in Norman, in seven weekends and wraps the regular season with a home contest against Tulsa May 11.

"Our style has always been to challenge ourselves early," said OU head coach Patty Gasso. "We start a week early at LSU, who will be a top-15 team, then travel to Florida State, who is another top-15 team. We get into it fast and furiously."

Oklahoma opens the season Feb. 6-8 at the LSU Tournament in Baton Rouge, La. After a mid-week home opener against Oklahoma Baptist (Feb. 11), the Sooners head back to the south for the Florida State Tournament (Feb. 13-15).

The Sooners will welcome San Houston State, Louisville and North Carolina to the annual OU/Nike Classic, Feb. 20-22

After the home tournament, OU departs the next two weekends for the NFCA Tournament in Columbus, Ga. (Feb. 27-29), followed by the University of Houston Tournament (March 5-7).

The Sooners close the home non-conference schedule with the annual OU/Worth Invitational March 12-14. Joining the Sooners in the field are New Mexico, McNeese State and Centenary.

In preparation for the rugged Big 12 slate OU will spend nearly a week in California. The trip begins on March 16 with a game at San Diego State. The Sooners will head up Interstate 5 to Cal-State Fullerton for the traditionally stacked Kia Classic (March 18-21).

OU is on the road for nearly three weeks after the OU/Worth Invitational, during which time the conference season begins. The home conference schedule opens with a weekend tilt against Red River rival Texas April 3-4. Other conference foes visiting Norman include Missouri (April 10), Texas Tech (April 21) and Kansas (April 24-25).

Bedlam is set for Thursday, April 8 in Stillwater, with the Cowgirls returning to Norman April 28 for a 7 p.m. game under the OU Softball Complex lights.

The Big 12 Tournament, hosted by OU, will again be at the Don E. Porter ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City (May 13-16). The NCAA Regionals are penciled in for May 20-23, with the Women's College World Series once again over Memorial Day weekend (May 27-31).

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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