The Oregon Softball team, looking to get back to the Women’s College World Series after falling just short last season, announced its 2017 schedule on Friday via a news release on GoDucks.com.
The Ducks will play Women’s College World Series participants Florida State and UCLA at home as well as 10 other teams — Kentucky, Illinois, Butler, Arizona, Oregon State, BYU, Arizona State, California, Washington and Missouri — that participated in the 2016 NCAA Tournament. The entire team schedule can be accessed here.
The Ducks brought in the No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the nation this offseason that included two of the top high school pitchers in the nation. They also return All-American shortstop Nikki Udria as well as Pac-12 Co-Freshman of the Year pitcher Megan Kleist and will look to clinch their fifth straight Pac-12 totle.
For the first time under head coach Mike White, the Ducks will also host a nonconference invitational. The teams include Idaho State, Hofstra and Pacific on Mar. 10-12.
The 2017 season starts off on Feb. 9 against the Virginia Cavaliers in the Kajikawa Classic.
Follow Zak Laster on Twitter @zlast3445