AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn softball team will take part in the 19th edition of the National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) Division I Lead-Off Classic presented by Rawlings at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Florida. . The NFCA Division I Lead-Off Classic will span Feb. 7 through Feb. 9, 2020.
"I'm excited that the NFCA has decided to bring back the NFCA Lead-Off Classic, because it brings teams together from all over the country," said Auburn softball head coach Mickey Dean. "It gives our players an opportunity to play against that competition and see different styles of play. It's good field, it's a strong field and we are looking forward to the challenge."
Auburn will play a five-game schedule against a 14-team field that is made up of 10 teams which reached the postseason a season ago. Of those 10 teams, nine were NCAA Regional participants in 2019.
Auburn's slate of games will begin on Friday, Feb. 7 when the Tigers face Big 12 opponent Baylor, before turning around to face Notre Dame. The following day, Auburn will start the morning against Liberty, then play Texas State. Auburn's stay in Clearwater, Fla., will conclude on Sunday, Feb. 9 when the Tigers square off against Illinois.
"Everybody has been at the top of their conference and some are conference champions, so they have postseason play experience," Dean said. "We are going to be young, but we are going to have a group that has some postseason experience play. It's going to be a great experience to kick off the season against teams which have postseason experience play."
Auburn's new assistant coach Eugene Lenti — then the head coach at DePaul — helped guide the Blue Devils to the 2012 NFCA Division I Lead-Off Classic championship.
Additional details for the tournament, including ticket prices and broadcast information, will be announced at a later date.
2020 NFCA Lead-Off Classic Field
Auburn
Baylor
Kentucky
Liberty
Louisville
Minnesota
Mississippi State
Missouri
Missouri State
NC State
Notre Dame
Ole Miss
South Alabama
Texas State
*USA National Team
Auburn's schedule
Friday, Feb. 7 vs. Baylor Field No. 8 Noon ET / 11:00 a.m. CT
Friday, Feb. 7 vs. Notre Dame Field No. 2 2:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. CT
Saturday, Feb. 8 vs. Liberty Field No. 4 10:00 a.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. CT
Saturday, Feb. 8 vs. Texas State Field No. 4 12:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. CT
Sunday, Feb. 9 vs. Illinois Field No. 1 Noon ET / 11:00 a.m. CT