Dec. 10, 2008

2009 Downloadable Schedule

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham softball head coach Bridget Orchard announced the team's 2009 schedule today, as the Rams open their 25th anniversary season at Rose Hill, having started varsity play in 1985.

The Rams will be competing for their seventh consecutive Atlantic 10 Championship tournament berth, and capture that elusive first Atlantic 10 title, which could be especially sweet, as Fordham is the host team for the 2009 Atlantic 10 Championship.

Fordham will compete in five tournaments this season, which includes tournaments in California, Florida, North Carolina, and Maryland.

Fordham opens their season at the prestigious Palm Springs Classic, February 6-8. Though not playing the Olympic team this year, the Rams will have stiff competition as they meet Cal St. Northridge, Fresno St., Boise St., UC-Davis, and Cal.

The Rams then make the first of two trips to Florida, competing in the FAIU "Strike-Out Cancer" Tournament, hosted by Florida International and Florida Atlantic. The Rams will play Providence and Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton, Florida on February 21st, and then head to Miami to meet Florida International and Arkansas on February 22nd.

After a trip to East Carolina for the Pirate Clash (February 27-March 1), Fordham will make their second trip to Florida, this time to Clearwater for the USF Under Armour Invitational. The Rams will play Lehigh, USF, and Virginia Tech in pool play to open the tournament.

Following that tournament, Fordham will have their home opener on March 10, when they host St. Peter's for a doubleheader at Bahoshy Field. They will be the first two of 17 home games this season.

The Rams then play in their final regular season tournament at the Maryland Invitational in College Park, Maryland from March 13-15. The Rams will play five games there against Mt. St. Mary's, Maryland, Seton Hall, Delaware, and Howard.

Though not a tournament, Fordham will travel to North Carolina for three non-conference games and their Atlantic 10 opening doubleheader from March 18-22. The Rams will take on Longwood and North Carolina on March 18th, and next play at N.C. State on March 19th. Fordham will then open Atlantic 10 action on March 22 with a doubleheader at Charlotte.

The Rams return home on March 25th for the first of three remaining non-conference home dates against Quinnipiac. Fordham will also host Hofstra (April 15) and Wagner (April 28). For non-conference road games, Fordham will play St. John's, Fairleigh Dickinson, and Seton Hall.

Fordham will also host Atlantic 10 opponents, La Salle (March 27-28), George Washington (March 29), Saint Joseph's (April 3-4), Temple (April 5), and Dayton (April 19).

In addition to Charlotte, Fordham will face Atlantic 10 opponents, St. Bonaventure (April 9), Saint Louis (April 24-25), Rhode Island (May 1-2), and Massachusetts (May 3).

The schedule then turns toward the Atlantic 10 Championship tournament, which will be held May 6-9 at Bahoshy Field.