TROY, AL – The Alabama State softball team will open the 2016 season when it travels to Troy University to take part in the five-team Trojan Invitational that begins Friday and runs through Sunday.
 
Teams competing include Evansville, Eastern Michigan, Marshall, Alabama State and host Troy. 
 
All games will be played at the Troy University Softball Complex.
 
Live coverage for stats and video can be found here: http://troytrojans.com/sports/2016/2/8/SB_0208161949.aspx?path=softball
 
Alabama State will play one game on Friday followed by two games on Saturday and two more games on Sunday. 
 
Here's the full schedule for the Lady Hornets' opening weekend:
 
2/12 – vs. Evansville – 2 p.m.
2/13 – vs. Evansville – 9:30 a.m.
2/13 – vs. Eastern Michigan – Noon
2/14 – vs. Marshall – Noon
2/14 – @ Troy – 5 p.m. 
 
This will open year two in the coach Chris Steiner-Wilcoxson regime after finishing with a four-win improvement from the previous season and reaching the SWAC Championship game in 2015. 
 
Alabama State has drawn rave reviews from both the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the college sports web site College Sports Madness in preseason predictions.
 
The Lady Hornets had six players named to Preseason All-Conference teams by the SWAC and seven players by College Sports Madness. 
 
"I think the girls are excited," Steiner-Wilcoxson said.
 
"Everybody is ready to get back on the field.  There will be some nerves with it being a new season, but also a new look.  The teams that we are facing all bring an aspect to the game at us.  We need to be tested.  We'll get to see a variety of styles of play.  I'm glad.  I want to be challenged.  When we get to our conference tournament, we'll be more prepared.  It will be a growing and learning experience.  But, it will get us ready." 
 
#GOHORNETS#