WESTON, Mass. - For the third consecutive year, the Regis (Mass.) softball team will tee off the season in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic.
The Pride will kick off its 2017 schedule with eight games in six days while away from campus. The first will take place against Penn State Schuylkill on Mar. 5, with first pitch slated for 5:30 p.m. The Pride will also play Randolph, Mary Washington, Cedar Crest, Lehman, Wesley and Cazenovia before concluding with Wilkes on Friday, Mar. 10.
"This type of trip prepares us for the upcoming season since normally at this time of year we don't have a chance to go outside because of the weather," explains head coach Nikki Panciocco on the value of her team's trip to Myrtle Beach. "It also allows the girls to come together as a team, bond and work out any first game jitters. We can see what we need to work on so when we get back we can focus on that. Being able to play on the dirt for a week instead of in the gym or on an indoor turf field is really beneficial to the players."
The Pride is a combined 4-7 in the last two seasons at the tournament. Of the Pride's eight opponents next week, the team has only previously faced Cazenovia in Myrtle Beach. A year ago, the Wildcats needed extra innings to defeat the Pride, winning 3-2 in eight innings.
The opportunity to play outdoors in March is certainly a plus but the location and excellent facility make the week even better. Regis will play games at both the Central Park Sports Complex as well as the North Myrtle Beach Complex. Nearly 25 teams are making the trip for the classic.
Panciocco sums up the week's goals. "The two biggest things for us this week are team bonding and to be competitive."
The team departs Regis in the early morning hours on Saturday, Mar. 4.
Stay up to date with Pride softball all week long through the official Regis Athletics social media accounts on Twitter (@GoRegisPride), Facebook (@GoRegisPride), Instagram (@GoRegisPride) and YouTube (Regis College Pride). Daily recaps and up-to-date match schedules are posted on www.goregispride.com.
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