MANCHESTER, N.H. – The nationally-ranked Saint Anselm College softball team and eighth-year head coach
Jill Gagnon released a 26-game regular season schedule for the upcoming 2021 campaign on Wednesday.
The 2021 schedule will feature a divisional format with teams playing in either the Northeast and Southwest divisions. Series will consist of four games on weekends in doubleheader format against divisional opponents. The dates for the NE10 Softball Championship will be announced in March, as well the procedure for tournament seeding and playoff structure.
The Hawks will face New Haven, Assumption, Bentley, Southern New Hampshire, Franklin Pierce, Saint Michael's, and Stonehill, with the goal of minimizing travel while following interstate health guidelines. Saint Anselm will host three of the seven 2021 opponents at the South Athletic Fields, including Assumption, Southern New Hampshire, and Stonehill.
Heading into the 2021 season, the Hawks are currently sitting No. 13 in the most recent National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II National Coaches' Poll.
As has been the case throughout the academic year, Saint Anselm student-athletes will continue to undergo rigorous surveillance testing in accordance with NE10, NCAA and College health protocols. All visiting teams will be subject to follow NE10 COVID-19 testing protocols, in addition to health and safety guidelines from their institutions and local communities.
At this time, no outside spectators will be permitted, including family members and parents of student-athletes. Currently enrolled students and Saint Anselm faculty and staff will be permitted to attend home athletic events, with protocols for masks and socially distanced seating. Capacity and occupancy may be limited based on facility size.
Saint Anselm plans to live stream each of its home contests through the NE10 Now Network, the digital home of the Northeast-10 Conference, with a broadcaster. Live Statistics will also be provided for fans through the College's new SIDEARM Sports website.
The Hawks wrapped up their 2020 season with a 16-4 overall record under Gagnon's direction. Saint Anselm began the 2020 campaign with its best start in program history with a 6-0 record in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The impressive start helped the Hawks push into the top 15 of the NFCA Division II Coaches' Poll, moving up as high as 12th. Saint Anselm concluded its season with three straight wins, including one over No. 24 Southern Indiana on Mar. 7.
Additional Saint Anselm sport schedules will be released in the coming days.
