Mason softball will kick off their 2012 season on Friday in the Kickin' Chicken Classic in Conway, South Carolina.  The Patriots will have a doubleheader this Friday against George Washington and Marshall.  The team will be back on the field Saturday for another doubleheader against Coastal Carolina and Georgia Southern before playing George Washington again on Sunday to conclude the tournament.

"We are all really excited for the season to start," said Head Coach Joe Verbanic.  "We have been playing each other for so long that we really just can't wait to get out there and see what we can do against another school.  For the first time in a while, we have a whole bunch of kids coming back who know what to expect and are ready to get after it."

The Kickin' Chicken Classic marks the first of two tournaments that the Patriots will take part in while in South Carolina.  After this weekend, Mason will travel to Spartanburg, South Carolina to play in the University of South Carolina Upstate Tournament from Friday, February 17^th- Sunday, February 19^th.

"It's going to be a great time for the underclassmen to see what's required on the Division I level, but it is also very important for us to establish the mindset of coming out every game expecting to win."

The first game for the Patriots this season will begin at 4:30pm on Friday against GW.  Mason will then take on Marshall at 6:30pm.  On Saturday, the Patriots will play Coastal Carolina at 2pm and Georgia Southern at 6:30pm.  The ladies will conclude their tournament on Sunday with a rematch from Friday against George Washington at 10am.