George Washington University Athletics
GW Softball Opens Season in California
2/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
| Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic | |
| Date | Tournament Info | Friday, Feb. 19-Sunday, Feb. 21 | Tournament Website |
| Location | Tickets | Palm Springs, Calif. | Tickets |
| GW vs. Utah Valley | Friday | 1:30 p.m. ET | Watch Live | Live Stats |
| GW vs. Arkansas | Friday | 4 p.m. ET | Watch Live |
| GW vs. Pacific | Saturday | 5:30 p.m. ET | Watch Live | Live Stats |
| GW vs. Loyola Marymount | Saturday | 10:30 p.m. ET | Watch Live |
| GW vs. Notre Dame | Sunday | 12 p.m. ET | Watch Live | |
The Colonials finished the 2015 season with a 25-23 record, reaching the 25-win mark for the third time in program history under sixth-year head coach Stacey Schramm. Pitcher Sarah Costlow earned a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team, while first baseman Carlee Gray landed on the Academic All-Conference squad after her junior season.
With 12 returning letterwinners and three newcomers, GW aims to secure an A-10 Championship berth, as the Colonials will host the six-team tournament in May.
The Buff and Blue will play five different opponents at the Mary Nutter Classic: Utah Valley and Arkansas on Friday, Pacific and Loyola Marymount on Saturday and Notre Dame on Sunday to wrap the opening weekend of play.
Utah Valley enters the weekend with a 1-4 record after competing at the Sportco Kick Off Classic in Las Vegas last weekend. The Wolverines grabbed a 13-5 victory over South Dakota, as starter Bailey Moore (1-3) earned her first win of the season. In 2015, Utah Valley led the nation with a school-record 45 double plays.
Arkansas also holds a 1-4 mark leading into the Mary Nutter Classic, taking a victory over North Dakota State by virtue of a game-winning grand slam by Shelby Hiers at the Texas Classic in Austin. Last season, the Colonials played a tight game with Arkansas before falling, 7-6, at the Citrus Classic in Orlando, Florida.
Pacific (3-2) comes off of a strong opening week that included an upset of then-No. 3 LSU, 2-1, at the Tiger Classic in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Winning pitcher Cassidy Gustafson earned West Coast Conference (WCC) Pitcher of the Week after posting a perfect 2-0 mark with a 0.50 ERA. Pacific was picked to finish second in the 2016 WCC preseason poll.
Loyola Marymount (4-1) started off its season with four consecutive wins before dropping the final game of the game of the GCU Kickoff Tournament to host Grand Canyon. Alicia Brown is off to a hot start for the Lions, batting at a .500 clip (7-for-14) with a team-best six RBIs as the squad's third baseman. LMU was picked to finish third in the WCC after taking second a year ago.
Notre Dame (3-2) began 2016 at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona, as the nation's No. 24-ranked program, but dropped out of the rankings this week. Karley Wester, who is batting .500 (10-for-20) through her first five games, was named to the Top 50 Watch List for the 2016 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award. The Fighting Irish were picked to finish second in the ACC preseason poll after earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament last year. The Colonials will meet Notre Dame for the first time since 2010.
Every game of the Mary Nutter Classic will be streamed live through FloSoftball, and fans can learn more about the tournament here.
