WORCESTER, Mass. – After winning 21 games last year, the most in a season since 1999, the Holy Cross softball program is proud to announce the team's schedule for the upcoming 2023 season.

The 56 game slate features 38 matchups against non-conference opponents in 12 different conferences and 20 games to be played home on Freshman Field.

The Crusaders begin the year at the Spartan Classic hosted by USC Upstate, who won 48 games in 2022. They open the campaign with a doubleheader against Maryland Eastern Shore and the host Spartans on Feb. 17. HC will play two on Feb. 18 versus South Carolina State and George Mason before closing out with USC Upstate on Feb. 19.

Holy Cross will duel George Mason three more times with a twinbill on Feb. 25 and a single game on Feb. 26.

The following weekend, the Crusaders travel to Madeira Beach, Fla. for The Spring Games. Holy Cross battles Southern Indiana, a program that concluded 2022 (49-13) as the no. 6 team in Division II and reclassified to Division I for 2023 and Hofstra on March 4. They will then compete in a doubleheader versus Big East foes Georgetown and Creighton on March 5.

Two days later, Holy Cross travels east to Miami to play a pair with Florida International (Mar. 7). The next day, March 8, the Crusaders square off with the Stetson Hatters for a single game. HC continues non-conference play at Maryland Eastern Shore for three games on March 11 and 12. A week later, the team will face Iona and Big Ten foe Rutgers at the Rutgers Tournament on March 19. In their final tuneup before conference action, Holy Cross takes a voyage to Quinnipiac for two games on March 21.

Patriot League play opens up on March 25 with a doubleheader at Army West Point and the three-game set sends on March 26 with a single contest. Holy Cross briefly returns to non-league action with two at Stonehill (March 29).

Seven of the next 10 games will be at the friendly confines of Freshman Field. The Crusader home opener is a scheduled double-header with Boston University on April 1. Holy Cross will wrap up the Turnpike Trophy series with the Terriers on April 2. The squad remains at home on April 6 for a twinbill with Division III reclassified Hartford. A quick road swing to Colgate (April 8-9) for three games is on tap before Holy Cross returns home to play Brown on April 11.

A nonconference date with Merrimack (April 12) and three at Lafayette (April 15-16) leads into a stretch where 13 of the final 14 games are played at home. The Crusaders host Rhode Island (April 19), Bucknell (April 22-23), Dartmouth (April 25), reining conference champion Lehigh (April 29-30), Bryant (May 3) and MACC conference runner-up Siena (May 5) before closing out the year at Sacred Heart (May 7).

The Patriot League Championships will be held May 12-14.

LEADOFF DINNER
Before the season begins, Holy Cross will host a leadoff reception to support the softball and baseball programs teams on Feb. 4. Individual tickets for the reception cost $150, which includes a $50 donation to the donor's choice of baseball and/or softball. REGISTER NOW!

Support of this event helps to provide critical resources that are necessary for Holy Cross student-athletes to thrive academically and compete for championships. All contributions enhance the student-athlete experience by providing for important training technologies, attracting and retaining talented coaches, and supporting travel for competition and recruiting.

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