Softball Opens 2018 Campaign at FIU's Felsberg Invitational

The Central Connecticut softball team will kick start the 2018 regular season on Friday, February 23 in the much warmer climate of Miami, FL for the Florida International Felsberg Invitational. The Blue Devils will play a pair a games on Friday and Saturday and one match on Sunday to conclude the opening tournament.

Live stats will be provided for each game here: http://bit.ly/24PnyZV

On Friday, CCSU will face Siena at 9:00 a.m. (ET) in its season opener and then challenge the tournament host, FIU, at 3:45 p.m which will be streamed live by Conference USA here: http://bit.ly/2Fn253r

Blue Devil head softball coach Breanne Gleason enters the 2018 season in her fifth year at the helm. Gleason is just seven wins away from eclipsing the 100-career wins milestone, holding a 93-80-1 (.535) overall record through four seasons.

About the opponents

Central's matchup with Siena marks the season-opener for the Saint Bernards as well. Last season Siena fell in the opening round of the MAAC tournament and finished the season 21-30. The Blue Devils split a doubleheader on the Saint Bernards turf in Loudonville, NY, falling 6-1 in the game one and then topping Siena 2-1 in the second contest.

FIU enters the Felsberg Invitational having played 11 games and standing at 5-6 overall including a 2-4 mark on its home field. Central Connecticut last faced FIU at the 2016 Felsberg Invitational where they went 1-2 against the Panthers. The Blue Devils last defeated the Miami crew on February 25, 2016, 6-5, in its season opener.

Boston College and CCSU have met just twice before back in 2003 for a doubleheader. The Eagles won both contests in five-innings 16-0 and 9-0 at CCSU Softball Field. BC heads into the weekend with a record of 3-6 last defeating Nebraska 3-0 in Atlanta, GA for the ACC-B1G Challenge.

Michigan State prevailed last season in its first meeting with Central Connecticut in program history 11-5 at the Georgia Bulldog Invitational in Athens, GA. The Spartans are currently 3-6 on the year and defeated Southern Illinois at USC's Gamecock Invitational on Sunday.

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