CHICAGO (December 30, 2019) – The Loyola University Chicago softball team kicks off its 36^th season in February, starting with four non-conference tournaments and 14 matches at home this season, according to the schedule announced by head coach Alicia Abbott.
 
Loyola opens up the 2020 season February 7-9, when it hosts the Rambler Rumble Tournament at The Dome in Rosemont, Ill. During the three-day tournament, the Ramblers play five games, starting with the season opener against Nebraska-Omaha at 3 p.m. and Miami (Ohio) at 5:30 p.m. The tournament continues on February 8 as Loyola takes on UW-Green Bay at 3 p.m. and Butler at 5:30 p.m. The Rambler Rumble concludes on February 9 as Loyola hosts IUPUI at 12:30 p.m.
 
The Maroon & Gold then head south to Huntsville, Texas for the Bearkat Classic Tournament hosted by Sam Houston State from February 14-16. The Ramblers face Houston Baptist on February 14 followed by back-to-back games against George Mason and Sam Houston State on February 15. To conclude the tournament, the Ramblers and Bearkats meet again on February 16.
 
Orlando, Fla. is the next stop for the Ramblers, who will compete at the Boombah Sports Complex from February 28-March 1. Loyola faces Kentucky and Western Michigan on February 28, Albany and Dartmouth on February 29 and Albany and Detroit Mercy on March 1.
 
Continuing South, Loyola makes its way to Madiera, Fla. for the Madiera Beach Tournament March 5-7. The Ramblers play Florida Gulf Coast and St. Bonaventure on March 5, Central Michigan and Iowa on March 6 and conclude the weekend with South Dakota State on March 7.
 
Conference play kicks off on the road for a pair of weekends at Bradley (March 14-15) and Southern Illinois (March 21-22) before the Ramblers return home for their first home game of the season. The Ramblers host in-state foe Northern Illinois on March 25 at 4 p.m. NIU is the former home of Abbott, who previously served as the associate head coach for the Huskies for five seasons.
 
Loyola host its first conference games of the season as March comes to an end. The doubleheader on Saturday, March 28 against Missouri State starts at 12:00 p.m., followed by an 11:00 a.m. matchup on Sunday. Not having to travel far, the Ramblers visit nonconference foe UIC on April 1 for a 5 p.m. start before hosting Evansville April 4-5. Loyola takes the road for its next five games, splitting weekends at Northern Iowa (April 10-11) and Valparaiso (April 14). Tuesday's match-up at Valparaiso will be a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.
 
The following week, Loyola begins a slate of seven of eight matches at home. The Maroon & Gold host Illinois State April 18-19 before heading up to Northwestern for its final nonconference match on April 21. On April 22, Loyola will host Valparaiso before welcoming Drake, April 25-26.
 
The regular season concludes on the road at Indiana State May 2-3 before the Missouri Valley Conference tournament starts in Evansville, Ind. May 6-9.
 
For the complete 2020 schedule in list view, click here.