COLUMBUS, Ga. — The National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) is hosting the 2020 Leadoff Classic this weekend at The South Commons in Columbus and Campbellsville University softball will have two Top 7 matchups. 
 
Schedule of Games:
Friday, Feb. 28

• 2 p.m. ET vs. No. 7 University of Mobile
• 4 p.m. ET vs. No. 5 Georgia Gwinnett

Saturday, Feb. 29

• 10 a.m. ET vs. Warner University
• 12 p.m. ET vs. Rio Grande

Sunday, March 1

• 9 a.m. ET vs. College of Costal Georgia 

CU Sports Network:

• All four games will air on the Campbellsville University Sports Network as Jordan Alves will call the action all weekend.
• Fans can tune in 15 minutes before each game to hear coach Shannon Wathen's pregame thoughts on www.campbellsvilletigers.com/watch and also on Apple TV and the ROKU Streaming Apps by searching Campbellsville Sports Network. 

Tiger Clawz:

• The Lady Tigers enter the weekend a little short-handed as All-Conference performers Mia Aldridge and Riley Hurst are both doubtful for The Classic after a shoulder and ankle injury, respectively. 
• Hannah Judd and Madison Davis have moved positions early in the 2020 season due to the injuries. Judd, a shortstop in high school, took over for Hurst up the middle on Tuesday vs. Midway and Davis, a third basemen by trade, took over for Aldridge at first. 
• Ryley Whitney is leading CU at the plate hitting .458 with five doubles and nine RBI. After not recording a hit in game one of the season, Whitney has hit safely in five straight. 
• Three others are hitting over .400 – Tori Humphrey (.435), Lexi Miller (.435) and Payton Blades (.429). Blades enters with a four-game hit streak and Humphrey is on a three-game streak.
• In the circle, Blades had a 3-0 record with a 2.94 ERA through 16.2 innings. Aleigha Talsma is 2-0 with a 4.36 ERA through 17.2 innings. Courtney Patterson is 1-2 with a 2.92 ERA in 12 innings.

Friday Preview vs. Mobile and Georgia Gwinnett:

• The Mobile Rams, the same team that ended Campbellsville's season in the NAIA Opening Round last year, enters the tournament with a 1-3 record. The lone win came to Miles University, 17-1, but has lost to West Alabama and Georgia Gwinnett. 
• Gwinnett is 7-3 overall and will play Warner University at 2:00 on Friday before playing CU. The three losses for GGC has come to Rio Grande (3-2), Coastal Georgia (5-2) and Bryan College in extra innings (8-7). 

Saturday Preview vs. Warner and Rio Grande:

• Warner plays Bryan and Georgia Gwinnett on Friday before playing Campbellsville and Brenau on Saturday. 
• The Royals enters with a 6-1 record overall with their lone loss coming to Olivet Nazarene, 6-3. Warner has beaten Roosevelt three times, Western Ontario twice and Olivet Nazarene once. 
• Rio Grande, a former MSC institution, is 2-8 on the year. The RedStorm has beaten Georgia Gwinnett and Lawrence Tech but has lost five games with either a one-run or two-run deficit. 

Sunday Preview vs. Coastal Georgia:

• Entering with a 10-2 record, Coastal Georgia plays Campbellsville, Mobile, Reinhardt, Brenau and Truett-McConnell. 
• The lone losses for Coastal Georgia came to Brewton-Parker, 3-1, and Georgia Gwinnett, 2-0. 

History about the NFCA Classic:

• In 2017, the NFCA shifted to a two-year model for its Classics. The Division II and III Leadoff Classics will alternate every other year at various locations around the country chosen by their respective division's membership, while the NAIA and Junior College Leadoff Classics will be similarly paired and alternate each year at the South Commons Complex in Columbus, Ga.
• Earlier this spring, the Division I Tournament was hosted in Clearwater, Florida.  

History about The South Commons Softball Complex:

• South Commons Softball Complex was the site of the 1996 Olympic Women's Fastpitch Softball Competition. It is an eight-field complex, which includes a five-field hub with a roundhouse and a three-field fan with a stadium.
• In the summer of 2019, the complex received a major facelift of $5.6 Million just in time for an international softball set during July.
• The upgrades included $640,000 spent on architectural improvements throughout the older stadium.
• $525,000 was spent on new lighting for the field.
• $515,000 went for a new field system for the stadium field including drainage, irrigation, sod and infield material. 
• $483,150 was allocated to architect, design and construction management.
• $400,000 spent on new HVAC and plumbing improvements.
• $350,000 was used for site improvements outside of Field 7, including new sidewalks, landscaping and irrigation.
• $280,000 went to Fields 6 and 8.
• $230,000 went to electrical improvements and sound systems.
• $163,000 was allocated for new seating in the stadium.
• $148,000 went to fiber internet
• $130,000 was spent on new roofs for the buildings under the grandstand that included bathrooms, storage and concessions.