DURHAM, N.C. – Duke softball will open the upcoming 2025 season at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I Leadoff Classic, as announced by the organization Monday afternoon. The four-day showcase will run Feb. 6-9 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla.
Duke will compete alongside 16 other programs from eight different conferences. The Blue Devils highlight the field as the lone 2024 Women’s College World Series (WCWS) participant with Missouri and Tennessee making Super Regional appearances. Overall, 14 programs competed in their conference tournament a year ago, with a total of eight advancing to the 2024 NCAA Regionals.
Duke will open the tournament with a doubleheader Feb. 7 against Penn State at 5 p.m. followed by a matchup with Texas Tech at 8 p.m. The Blue Devils lead the all-time series, 4-1, with the Nittany Lions and will face the Red Raiders for the first time in the nightcap.
Opening the second day of the event, the Blue Devils take on Northwestern and Mississippi State in a doubleheader Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively. Duke will meet both teams for the second time in program history after first meeting in 2019.
The Blue Devils will close out the weekend against Missouri at 10 a.m. Feb. 9. The two teams face off for the second time in program history after first meeting in the NCAA Super Regional last May, where the Blue Devils claimed the 2-1 series victory to advance to the WCWS. The Tigers are the defending tournament champions after going 5-0 during their opening weekend in Clearwater last season.
All games will be livestreamed on the GameChanger App and ticket information for the event is available HERE.
The remainder of the Blue Devils’ 2025 season schedule will be announced at a later date.
Duke is coming off its strongest campaign in 2024, setting a program record with a 52-9 overall ledger, capturing its second ACC Championship, third straight NCAA Super Regional appearance and advanced to the Women’s College World Series for the first time in program history.
Young returns 11 letterwinners from last season and welcomed seven newcomers in freshmen Ava Bradshaw, Gabriella Mike, Hailey Shuler and Brooklinn Thomas and transfers Dakota Farmer (Penn), Thessa Malau’ulu (UCLA) and KK Mathis (James Madison).
To stay up to date with Blue Devils…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Duke University…