RICHMOND, Ky. - After a long wait, the Eastern Kentucky University softball team is ready to play its first games of the season at Gertrude Hood Field as they host the Colonel Classic from Feb. 28 through March 2.

The Colonels welcome UIC, Akron and Dayton to Richmond for the weekend as they Colonels will play five games over the three days. 

First up on Feb. 28 is a lone game against UIC at 1:30 PM for the home opener. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+.

On Mar. 1, the Colonels take on two games with round two against UIC at 3 PM before matching up with Akron at 5:30 PM.

The team finishes up on Mar. 2 with two more games, first against Akron for the second time at 1 PM and finishing out the weekend at 3:30 PM against Dayton. Both games on Sunday will be available on ESPN+.

Live stats will be available for every game on the weekend.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION

UIC comes into the weekend with a 4-10 record with a six-game losing streak. Last time out, the finished 0-4 at the Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic as they took on Indiana, No. 12 Texas Tech, Detroit Mercy and UTEP.

The Zips of Akron bring an 8-6 record to Richmond after going 1-2 at the UTSA Tournament. There, the Zips grabbed a win over Michigan State, 2-1. The Zips also have gone 1-1 against USC Upstate this season (7-10, 2-0), a common opponent between the two teams.

Dayton rounds out the weekend lineup at 5-4 following a 1-3 showing at the I-75 Challenge. The Flyers share two common opponents with the Colonel in Georgia Tech and Wofford, posting a 1-1 record against Wofford (6-3, 2-4) and going 0-2 against GT (3-4, 0-15).

FULL WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, Feb. 28
11 AM - Akron vs UIC  Live Stats
1:30 PM - UIC @ EKU  Live Stats Watch
4 PM - Dayton vs Akron  Live Stats

Saturday, March 1
10 AM - UIC vs Dayton  Live Stats
12:30 PM - Akron vs Dayton  Live Stats
3 PM - UIC @ EKU  Live Stats
5:30 PM - Akron @ EKU  Live Stats

Sunday, March 2
10:30 AM - Dayton vs UIC  Live Stats
1 PM - Akron @ EKU  Live Stats Watch
3:30 PM - Dayton @ EKU  Live Stats