
CORSICANA – At long last, it’s here — softball season.
The mid-70 temperatures earlier this week may have been just a Springtime tease, but coach Jessica Karenke-Burke’s Navarro College softball team is ready to play ball, regardless of conditions.
The Bulldogs will open play Friday in the two-day Island Invitational Tournament hosted by Galveston College. Defending East Zone champion Navarro joins 11 other teams that will compete in five weekend games on the three-field complex.
The Bulldogs open play at 9 am Friday against LSU-Eunice on Field 3, face off with the host Galveston Whitecaps at 1 pm on Field 2, and wrap up opening day with a 5 pm matchup against Blinn on Field 1.
On Saturday, Navarro challenges Alvin at 1 pm and McLennan at 5 pm.
Other Region XIV schools making their debut here include San Jacinto, Kilgore and Angelina, plus Ranger, Rose State College of Midwest City, Ok., and the University of Houston-Victoria.
The Bulldogs Wednesday were selected among the Region XIV favorites this season by an NJCAA survey, with a preseason prediction of third. NC returns four starters and has eight returning players from a squad that went 36-15 last season.