Tournament Central

ROSEMONT, Ill. – A new era will officially begin for the IUPUI softball team Friday (Feb. 10), as the team will kick of the 2017 season at the Total Control Sports Invitational against host team Illinois-Chicago at 12:30 p.m. EST.  The Jags are slated for a double-header, as they'll follow their afternoon bout with a 5:30 p.m. meeting with Loyola-Chicago.
 
The Jags will begin the new season after being picked sixth in the Summit League preseason polls and finishing 20-35 overall with a 4-12 Summit League record last season.  IUPUI advanced to its first ever Summit League Tournament Championship game, as the Jags slugged their way to a tournament runner-up.  After the departure of seven players from last year's roster, including five seniors, the new-look Jags will feature six newcomers to the team this season, with five freshman and one sophomore transfer. 
 
Following Friday's pair of games, the Jags will continue their stay in Rosemont with a pair of Saturday (Feb. 11) tilts, scheduled against Miami (Ohio) at 12:30 p.m. and Eastern Illinois at 8:00 p.m., both teams the Jags faced a season ago.  They'll close the weekend on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. against Green Bay.  Four of the Jags five opponents on the weekend were 2016 opponents, as IUPUI combined to go 4-2 against those teams.
 
IUPUI enjoyed a pair of slugfest games against Miami last season, combining for 19 runs across two games in sweeping the Redhawks in their home tournament.  The team faced Green Bay in the Total Control Sports Invitational last season, topping the northern foes 6-2.  A 6-1 single game win against Illinois-Chicago in Indianapolis rounded out the Jags' successes from last season against their scheduled opponents.
 
The Jags will head to the tournament featuring a brand new starting pitching rotation and new lineup from last season.  First year Head Coach Heather Tarter will have the opportunity to test her team against live competition for the first time since the 2016 fall season, and will look to seniors Roni Patterson, Maggie Good, Taylor Chitwood, and Alyssa Matson to spearhead the revamped roster. 
 
Fans wishing to attend the event can find information on the tournament at the official tournament page, found here.
 
For all the latest in news, scores, highlights, stories, and more, follow IUPUIJags.com.