By Justin Grones (@JustinGrones)
GreenBayPhoenix.com

GREEN BAY, WIS. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - The Green Bay softball team will enjoy life on the road this season as the team will play just nine games on its home diamond during the spring 2013 season, head coach Jean Rivett announced on Monday.

For the fourth-straight season, Green Bay will open the season competing in the UNI Dome Tournament in February held in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The most notable of the five games the Phoenix will play in the tournament is a matchup with Alabama, the 2012 NCAA National Champions.  

"Playing Alabama will be our most challenging opportunity, but it's one we're looking forward to," Rivett said. "We truly have some very talented young ladies with a hone of softball knowledge who have been working extremely hard this offseason.

Green Bay will take a month off in between tournaments before traveling to Orlando, Fla. on March 15 to compete in the Rebel Spring Games for the third straight season. Green Bay will play 12 games while spending six days in the Sunshine State. The Phoenix is a combined 26-6 in the tournament over the past three years, including a 9-1 mark during the spring 2012 season.

Green Bay will open Horizon League play on Saturday, Mar. 23 at UIC, and play its home opener on Apr. 6 against Cleveland State. Wright State will travel to Ben Garot Field April 13-14, with the final home series coming May 4-5 against Detroit.

"Having to play most of our games on the road does bring some challenges, but we never feel it's an excuse for how we play, win or lose. Our team and coaching staff wants to prepare for and play as many games as possible, and we will never back down or shy away from competition whether at home or away," Rivett said.

Notable nonconference opponents for the spring 2013 season include Notre Dame on Mar. 28, a doubleheader with Wisconsin on Apr. 24 and a doubleheader with Minnesota on May 1 with all of these games played on the road.

Green Bay finished the 2012 season with a 23-28 record after upsetting No. 3 seed UIC in the Horizon League Tournament and eventually falling to No. 2 seed Loyola and No. 4 seed Youngstown State.

Below is the spring 2013 schedule, with home games in bold and Horizon League games asterisked. All times are central and subject to change.

Green Bay Softball 2012 Season:

UNI Dome Tournament, Feb. 8-10 in Cedar Falls, Iowa

Feb. 9, vs. North Dakota State, 1 p.m.
Feb. 9, vs. Alabama, 1 p.m.
Feb. 9, vs. UNI, 7 p.m.
Feb. 10, vs. Illinois, Noon
Feb. 10, vs. Drake, 4 p.m.

Rebel Spring Games, Mar. 15-22 in Orlando, Fl.

Mar. 15, vs. Utah Valley, TBA
Mar. 15, at Fairleigh, TBA
Mar. 16, at Army, TBA
Mar. 16, vs. Wagner, TBA
Mar. 17, vs. Albany, TBA
Mar. 17, at Columbia, TBA
Mar. 19, at Albany, TBA
Mar. 19, vs. Columbia, TBA
Mar. 20, vs. Rider, TBA
Mar. 20, at Rider, TBA
Mar. 21, vs. Manhattan, TBA
Mar. 21, at Manhattan, TBA

Mar. 23, at UIC*, Noon / 2 p.m.
Mar. 24, at UIC*, Noon
Mar. 28, at Notre Dame, 6 p.m.
Mar. 29, at Valparaiso*, 3 p.m.
Mar. 30, at Valparaiso*, Noon / 2 p.m.
Apr. 6, Cleveland State*, 1 p.m./ 3 p.m.
Apr. 7, Cleveland State*, 11 a.m.
Apr. 10, at Western Illinois, 3 p.m./5 p.m.
Apr. 13, Wright State*, 1 p.m. / 3 p.m.
Apr. 14, Wright State*, 11 a.m
Apr. 20, at Youngstown State*, 1 p.m. / 3 p.m.
Apr. 21, at Youngstown State*, 11 a.m.
Apr. 24, at Wisconsin, 3 p.m. / 5 p.m.
Apr. 27, at Loyola*, Noon / 2 p.m.
Apr. 28, at Loyola*, Noon
May 1, at Minnesota, 2 p.m. / 4 p.m.
May 4, Detroit*, Noon / 2 p.m.
May 5, Detroit*, Noon
Wed.-Sat. May 8-11, Horizon League Conference Championship, TBD

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