UAlbany Announces 2011 Softball Schedule; Will Play in Florida & California Tournaments

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Thursday, Dec. 2 the school's schedule for the 2011 softball season. The Great Danes will play in four tournaments, including trips to Florida and California, to begin non-conference play. UAlbany has made three NCAA appearances and recorded eight 30-win campaigns as a Division I program.

UAlbany starts its season at the Florida Gulf Coast Tournament in Fort Myers on Feb. 25-27. The tournament field includes Iowa, Eastern Michigan, Southern Illinois, Saint Francis, Pa. and Florida Gulf Coast. The Great Danes travel two weeks later to Santa Clara's three-day tournament on March 11-13. UAlbany opens with the host school and San Jose State before battling NCAA participant UC Davis. The Great Danes finish up with a pair of games against Boise State on the final day.

The Great Danes will make their second consecutive appearance in George Mason's Cherry Blossom Classic on March 18-20. UAlbany takes on Ivy League champion and NCAA Tournament team Cornell and the host program on the first day. Monmouth and Howard are also in the field. UAlbany wraps up in-season tournament play at Delaware State on March 26-27. Colgate and Morgan State are also entered.

UAlbany's home opener is slated for Thursday, March 31 against crosstown-rival Siena, a doubleheader that begins at 2:30 p.m. Dartmouth, Colgate, Manhattan and Cornell will also compete in non-league twinbills at Albany Field in the month of April. America East Conference play starts on April 2-3 with a three-game series at home against Hartford. Conference members UMBC and Stony Brook will also travel to the Capital Region. The America East Conference Tournament will be hosted by the regular-season champion on May 12-14.

Head coach Chris Cannata is in her 17th season at the helm. A four-time America East coach of the year, Cannata is the winningest coach in program history with 469 career victories. Gina Mason, a senior first baseman, and Jessica Bergin, a senior outfielder, were each named to last year's all-conference first team. Mason batted .342 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs. Bergin recorded a .294 batting average with 18 stolen bases. Sophomore Allie Weiser, a pitcher, and Kylie Apostolina, a third baseman and designated player, were named to the America East all-rookie team.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information