SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University softball 2011 schedule was recently announced and it includes home games against Boise State, Oregon State and San Diego. The team's official season-opener will be on Sunday, February 20 at San Jose State.

Under Head Coach Lisa Mize, SCU is set to play a challenging 25-game non-conference schedule, which leads up to the Pacific Coast Softball Conference (PCSC) portion of the season, which begins in April. Stanford, California, UC Davis and Oregon are all on the non-conference slate.

In all, Santa Clara will play 45 regular season games. Following a 20-game PCSC schedule, the league's divisional winners (Coastal and Mountain) will meet May 14-15 in the best-of-three PCSC Championship Series.

"I am anxious to have our group of freshmen, as well as our returners, gain some exposure from playing some of the top teams in the country such as Oregon, Cal and UC Davis," said Mize. "We will use these games as an opportunity to learn and build on the areas that need improvement."

The Broncos first 10 games will be played on the road, including The University of the Pacific Tournament in Stockton, Calif. (Feb. 26-27) and the Colorado State Tournament (March 4-6) in Fort Collins, Colo.

The Santa Clara Bronco Classic at the Alden E. Oliver Sport Park of Hayward initiates the 17-game home schedule, March 12-13. Five games will be played in Hayward and the remainder will be hosted at West Valley College in Saratoga – the first coming against Oregon State on April 14.

"I'm excited about the 2011 schedule," said Mize. "I think the preseason will challenge us and ultimately prepare us for conference play. Our schedule has a good balance this year, as we will play teams from out of the area, as well as several games against area West Coast teams."

2011 Santa Clara Softball Schedule
Feb. 20 @ San Jose State (DH) - 12 p.m.
Feb. 26 vs. San Jose State # - 12 p.m.
Feb. 27 vs. Oregon # - 10 a.m.
Feb. 27 @ Pacific # - 12 p.m.
March 4 vs. Sacred Heart % - 10:15 a.m.
March 4 @ Colorado State % - 2:45 p.m.
March 5 vs. Sacred Heart % - 8 a.m.
March 5 vs. Northern Illinois % - 12:45 p.m.
March 6 @ Colorado State % - 11:15 a.m.
March 11 vs. ALBANY (Field 1) & - 4 p.m.
March 11 … UC Davis vs. SJSU (Field 2) & - 4 p.m.
March 11 vs. BOISE STATE (Field 1) & - 6:15 p.m.
March 12 … SJSU vs. Albany (Field 1) & - 11 a.m.
March 12 vs. BOISE STATE (Field 2) & - 11 a.m.
March 12 … Albany vs. UC Davis (Field 1) & - 1:15 p.m.
March 12 vs. SAN JOSE STATE (Field 2) & - 1:15 p.m.
March 12 … UC Davis vs. Boise State (Field 1) & - 3:30 p.m.
March 13 … SJSU vs. UC Davis (Field 1) & - 10 a.m.
March 13 … Boise St. vs. Albany (Field 2) & - 10 a.m.
March 13 … Albany vs. Boise State (Field 2) & - 12:15 p.m.
March 18 @ Sacramento State ^ - 12:15 p.m.
March 18 vs. Towson ^ - 2:30 p.m.
March 19 vs. Illinois-Chicago ^ - 12:15 p.m.
March 20 vs. Illinois-Chicago ^ - 9 a.m.
March 25 vs. Oregon State  $  - 11:15 a.m.
March 25 @ UC Davis  $ - 3:45 p.m.
March 26 vs. California  $ - 11:15 a.m.
March 27 vs. California  $ - 11 a.m.
April 9 @ Cal State Bakersfield (DH)* - 12 p.m.
April 10 @ Cal State Bakersfield (DH)* - 12 p.m.
APRIL 14 vs. OREGON STATE - 3 p.m.
APRIL 16 vs. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT (DH)* - 12 p.m.
APRIL 17 vs. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT (DH)* - 12 p.m.
APRIL 22 vs. SAN DIEGO (DH)* - 12 p.m.
APRIL 23 vs. SAN DIEGO (DH)* - 12 p.m.
April 27 @ California - 3 p.m.
APRIL 30 vs. SACRAMENTO STATE (DH)* - 12 p.m.
MAY 1 vs. SACRAMENTO STATE (DH)* - 12 p.m.
May 3 @ Stanford - 6 p.m.
May 7 @ Saint Mary's (DH)* - 12 p.m.
May 8 @ Saint Mary's (DH)* - 12 p.m.
May 14 PCSC Championship - (TBD)                                   
May 15 PCSC Championship -  (TBD)                                    

All times Pacific and subject to change
Home Games BOLD
# Pacific Tournament
% Colorado State Tournament
& Santa Clara Bronco Classic @ Alden E. Oliver Sports Park of Hayward
^ Sacramento State Tournament
$ UC Davis Tournament
* Pacific Coast Softball Conference game
West Valley College is located at 14000 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, Calif.
Alden E. Oliver Sports Park of Hayward is located at 2580 Eden Park Pl. Hayward , Calif.
(DH) denotes doubleheader