| 2015 Northwestern Softball - 2015 Kajikawa Classic |
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| Game Notes | Northwestern's Weekly Release |
| Game One: Northwestern (0-0) vs. North Carolina (0-0) |
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| Date | Friday, Feb. 6 | 5 p.m. CT/4 p.m. MT |
| Location | Tempe Sports Complex Field 4 | Tempe, Ariz. |
| Live Coverage | UStream.com Audio | Gametracker | @NU_SportsLIVE  |
| Game Two: Northwestern (0-0) vs. UC Santa Barbara (0-0) |
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| Date | Friday, Feb. 6 | 9:30 p.m. CT/8:30 p.m. MT |
| Location | Tempe Sports Complex Field 4 | Tempe, Ariz. |
| Live Coverage | UStream.com Audio | Gametracker | @NU_SportsLIVE |
| Game Three: Northwestern (0-0) vs. Texas (0-0) |
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| Date | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 2:30 p.m. CT/1:30 p.m. MT |
| Location | Tempe Sports Complex Field 1 | Tempe, Ariz. |
| Live Coverage | UStream.com Audio | Gametracker | @NU_SportsLIVE |
| Game Four: Northwestern (0-0) vs. No. 2 Oregon (0-0) |
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| Date | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 4:45 p.m. CT/3:45 p.m. MT |
| Location | Tempe Sports Complex Field 1 | Tempe, Ariz. |
| Live Coverage | UStream.com Audio | Gametracker | @NU_SportsLIVE |
| Game Five: Northwestern (0-0) vs. California (0-0) |
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| Date | Sunday, Feb. 8 | 10 a.m. CT/9 a.m. MT |
| Location | Farrington Stadium | Tempe, Ariz. |
| Live Coverage | UStream.com Audio | Gametracker | @NU_SportsLIVE |
EVANSTON, Ill. -- For the 10th-straight season, Northwestern is among the programs at the nation's top season-opening event, the Kajikawa Classic hosted by Arizona State Feb. 6-8. The 2015 edition of the tournament features 31 teams competing on five fields across two sites in Tempe, Ariz.
Northwestern's schedule at the Kajikawa Classic is its traditional blend of national powers, though oddly several of those opponents are looking to bounce back from down years and only one--No. 2 Oregon--begins the year ranked in either poll. Both North Carolina and California missed the NCAA Tournament last season while Texas enters the season without a national ranking. Still, every one of NU's foes this weekend ended 2014 ranked in the top-82 of the RPI to give the Wildcats their typical stiff test to begin the year.
The Kajikawa is the first of five pre-conference tournaments for Northwestern this season. The schedule includes traditional NU stops at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic and the Louisville Slugger Invitational co-hosted by CS Fullerton and Long Beach State. Back on the schedule for the first time since 2010 is UNLV's Desert Classic, and NU returns to Louisville for the first time since making a 2008 Spring Break appearance. Speaking of Spring Break, NU will tour the expanded B1G presence in New York City this year while facing top East Coast squads Hofstra and Forham.
Programming Note
Northwestern softball live streaming audio -- which was available last year for the very first time for every game played -- will continue this season for select games via a new free platform at UStream.com. Links will be available in tournament preview releases such as this one and on the Northwestern Softball schedule page at NUsports.com.
Additionally, live audio will not be available for NU's next two tournaments in Las Vegas and Palm Springs before returning Feb. 27-March 1 at the Long Beach Louisville Slugger Invitational.
2 DAYS until GAMEDAY!!! #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/4wGA3qdb8G
-- NorthwesternSoftball (@NUSBcats) February 4, 2015
The Season Ahead
Northwestern softball enters this season coming off a strong 2014 campaign that saw the Wildcats compile a 35-18 record and reach their sixth NCAA Regional final in the last 10 seasons under Kate Drohan and Caryl Drohan. Gone from that team are five significant contributers including four starters, but NU has plenty of firepower returning along with the addition of a stellar six-member freshman class that will contribute immediately.
All-told, six of Northwestern's returners have earned All-Big Ten or National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region accolades at some point during their #B1GCats careers including five members of the NU offensive lineup and a pair of pitchers in the circle. The Wildcats will benefit especially from the return of USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year watch list member Amy Letourneau's return from a medical hardship season in 2014.
Northwestern Softball Tickets On Sale Feb. 16
Northwestern softball single game tickets and a flex plan -- new for 2015 -- will be available Feb. 16. NU returns to the Chicagoland area March 14 to host a doubleheader against IUPUI at The Ballpark at Rosemont, home of the Chicago Bandits. IUPUI is coached by former Wildcats volunteer assistant Amanda Rivera and NU All-American Adrienne Monka.
The Wildcats open at Sharon J. Drysdale Field March 27-29 against Big Ten foe Wisconsin. More information on ticket pricing and availability will be released next week.
PLAY BALL!
For a complete season preview and notes on this weekend's Kajikawa Classic, download the Northwestern Weekly Release available in the chart at the top of this page.
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