February 12, 2004

FURMAN SOFTBALL SET TO OPEN SEASON AT AUBURN'S TIGER INVITATIONAL

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- The Furman softball team will kick off its 2004 season this weekend when it takes part in the Tiger Invitational at Auburn University. The Lady Paladins will open play on Friday at noon against the Evansville Purple Aces of the Missouri Valley Conference at Auburn's Moore Field.

The season opener will mark the beginning of the Dana Jenkins era at Furman. The 1996 Furman graduate and former Lady Paladin shortstop took over as the program's head coach this past summer after guiding Division II Anderson College for three years.

The Lady Paladins return six position players and two pitchers with starting experience from a squad that went 21-32 overall and 8-13 in the Southern Conference a year ago.

After opening tournament play versus Evansville, Furman battles Austin Peay at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Auburn at 2:30 Saturday afternoon. Teams will be seeded for bracket play Saturday afternoon and Sunday.

Furman opens its 2004 home schedule on March 9, when it hosts Monmouth in a 2:30 p.m. doubleheader.