GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG softball team is set to kickoff the 2020 campaign, Saturday, February 8 at the Carolina Classic in Columbia, S.C. The Spartans enter a prestigious five-team tournament, hosted by preseason No. 21 South Carolina. Other teams entered in the opening tournament include North Dakota State (NDSU), Ohio State, and Southern Illinois. The four opponents set to faceoff with UNCG all made postseason regional appearances in 2019. 
 
"Team 35 is ready to compete and take the field," said head coach Janelle Breneman. "I am looking forward to this team's fight and competitiveness to come alive against the competition. We will be challenged this weekend with four formidable opponents. Game day is about settling in and controlling emotions. This is a special team, one that is supportive of each other and I know they are looking forward to the memories that a spring season brings." 

Weekend Outlook
The Spartans will play a total of four games from Saturday-Sunday. They will make their 2020 debut on Saturday vs. NDSU at 10 a.m The meeting with the Bison will be the first in UNCG softball history. The Spartans wrap up the tournament on Sunday with matchups against Ohio State (12:30 p.m.) and SEC foe, South Carolina at 3 p.m. 
 
Around the Horn

• In the 2020 preseason coaches' poll, the Spartans were slotted to finish second with 28 points and one first-place vote.
• Redshirt senior Jasmine Palmer (2B/SS), sophomore catcher Delaney Cumbie and designated player Kayleigh Willis each got the nod for the preseason all-conference first team. Outfielders Jordan Gontram (RJr.) and Makenna Matthijs (Jr.) both garnered preseason second team honors.
• The Spartans seek their third-straight regular season SoCon title and second conference championship in three years.
• A First-Team All SoCon selection as a freshman in 2019, Cumbie returns to the Spartans lineup as their most effective hitter a season ago. She led the team with a .338 batting average, second in doubles (10), and led the SoCon with a .483 OB%.

NORTH DAKOTA STATE BISON
All-time Series: 0-0
 
The Bison of North Dakota State earn the nod for "furthest traveled" heading into the Carolina Classic in Columbia, S.C. The Bison were crowned Summit League Champions in 2019, their 10th championship in school histroy. They closed out an impressive season with a 42-16 overall record and a 16-2 record in the Summit League. After an automatic bid to the Minneapolis Regional, the Bison fell to then #12 Minnesota and #25 Drake. 
 
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
All-time Series: 0-1
 
UNCG welcomes Big 10 foe, Ohio State for their second matchup all-time in program history. The Buckeyes went 35-18 overall last season and 17-6 in conference action. Their season concluded at the Knoxville Regional vs. North Carolina. 
 
The teams last met 20 years ago on March 18, 2000. The Buckeyes secured a 9-0 win during the Winthrop Invitational in Rock Hill, S.C.
 
SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
All-time Series: 1-12
 
The most familiar opponent of this opening tournament, the Gamecocks have controlled the head-to-head series, dating back to the 1995 season. At that time, The Spartans were competing as members of the Big South Conference. A season where UNCG finished 49-17, they earned their only victory over the Gamecocks in program history, a 5-2 final in Greensboro. 
 
In 2019, South Carolina went 38-19 overall with a 9-14 record in the SEC, earning their fourth-straight bid to a regional final. Junior Infielder Mackenzie Boesel ranked fifth in the nation in doubles (21), also the best mark in the conference. Her .606 slugging percentage shows how important she is to an offense that outscored opponents 335-195 during the regular season.
 
COMING UP
The Spartans head to Rock Hill, S.C. for the Winthrop Softball Tournament, February 14-16. They'll play a five-game slate that begins with a matchup vs. ACC opponent, Virginia, Friday (Feb. 14) at 12:30 p.m.