DAYTON - The University of Dayton softball team is set to open the 2021 season this weekend at the Upstate Classic. Dayton will square off against NC Central and host USC Upstate in back-to-back doubleheaders. The two-day event will be played Feb. 12-13 at Upstate's Cyrill Softball Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C.

Prior to the 2020 season being suspended, Dayton posted an 8-12 record, including matchups against teams such as Houston, Tulsa, Oregon and Oregon State. The Flyers were picked to finish fourth in the 2021 Atlantic 10 preseason poll conducted by league coaches.

UD's top two returning offensive players from 2020 are senior catcher Abby Ehrenborg who posted a .338 average with a team-best 22 hits, six doubles and six home runs and junior infielder Alyssa Cacini who recorded a .317 average with a team-best 15 RBI off 19 hits.

USC Upstate was 17-7, including a 14-1 home record, in 2020 when the season was suspended due to COVID-19. The Spartans were picked to finish second in the 2021 Big South preseason and return six everyday players from last season.

NC Central played 16 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, posting a 1-15 overall record. The Eagles had four players named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference All-Preseason team highlighted by Kiara Hurley's MEAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year honor.

Tournament Schedule
February 12        Dayton vs USC Upstate                 1:00 p.m.
February 12        Dayton vs USC Upstate                 3:00 p.m.
February 13        N.C. Central vs Dayton                  12:00 p.m.
February 13        Dayton vs N.C. Central                   2:00 p.m.
February 14        N.C. Central vs USC Upstate         12:00 p.m.
February 14        N.C. Central vs USC Upstate         12:00 p.m.
*Note all games are subject to change due to inclement weather
 
Live stats will be provided for all games on https://upstatespartans.com/sidearmstats/softball/summary and all USC Upstate games will be shown on ESPN+ this weekend.