Softball opens season this weekend in CSU Dome Invitational

MOREHEAD, Ky. - The Morehead State softball team opens their 2016 campaign with four games this weekend in the CSU Dome Invitational, which will take place on the campus of Cleveland State University.

On Friday, the Eagles face host Cleveland State at 1 p.m. and Niagara at 6 p.m. They follow that with Bowling Green at 9 a.m. and Robert Morris at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Last season, the Eagles went 22-24 overall and 11-11 in the OVC.

Head Coach David Williams, who is in his fifth year at the helm, thinks this is his most talented team at MSU and he believes that this is the year where his team can really take that next step forward.

"We've improved every year in the conference since I've been here, but we haven't taken that big jump yet," he said. "And I really think we need to take that big jump. I think if we can get the top four, that would be huge for us, and I think that sets us up for the future."

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Mackenzie Grossmann will be the ace of the staff. As a freshman, she started 21 games and appeared in 29, both team highs. She led the Eagles with 12 wins and a 2.85 ERA over 137.1 innings. She recorded 14 complete games and 85 strikeouts.

Entering the season she was named to the Preseason All-OVC First Team by College Sports Madness.

Morehead State opens their home schedule on Saturday, March 12. They will face St. Bonaventure and Eastern Michigan twice.

Full CSU Dome Invitational Schedule

Friday, Feb. 12
1:00 pm Cleveland State vs. Morehead State
3:30 pm Cleveland State vs. Niagara
6:00 pm Morehead State vs. Niagara

Saturday, Feb. 13
9:00 am Bowling Green vs. Morehead State
11:30 am Morehead State vs. Robert Morris
2:00 pm Bowling Green vs. Niagara
4:30 pm Robert Morris vs. Niagara

Sunday, Feb. 14
9:00 am Cleveland State vs. Robert Morris
11:30 am Cleveland State vs. Bowling Green
2:00 pm Robert Morris vs. Bowling Green