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FIU's Kendra Laminack leads the Golden Panthers into this weekend's Schlotzsky's/FIU Invitational. Laminack was one of three FIU players chosen to the all-tournament team of last week's Diamond Sports Classic. (Geoff Anderson Photo)

he Florida International softball team hosts its second-straight regular-season tournament this weekend with the Schlotzsky's/FIU Invitational at University Park.

Host Florida International, No. 16-ranked Ohio State, No. 22 Alabama and local rival Florida Atlantic will compete in this round-robin tournament with the consolation and championship games scheduled for Sunday.

The Golden Panthers were somewhat disappointed in last weekend's showing at the Diamond Sports Fun & Sun Classic, winning only two of five game, despite the fact that two of the three losses came against No. 17 Georgia by scores of 3-1 and 5-1.

"We're coming into this weekend looking for wins," said FIU head coach Kim Gwydir. "It is a very strong field this weekend, but despite that, we'll be expecting better starting pitching and more production from our offense."

Despite their final record, the Golden Panthers advanced to the championship game and had three selections to the all-tournament team: pitcher Kendra Laminack, catcher Marleah Stapf and shortstop Stephanie Wolter.

After a record-shattering 2002 campaign, nationally-ranked Ohio State will try to ride that momentum into 2003 and strive toward a Big Ten Championship and a trip to the Women's College World Series.

The 2002 season will go down in the record books as one the most productive and historic in the 32-year existence of the program. The Buckeyes went 55-14 on the year - their most wins ever - and attaining the program's highest national ranking ever at No. 13. OSU closed out its season with a trip to the NCAA Regional tournament, its first since 1990. The 2002 Buckeyes shattered the record books, breaking 21 team records and 15 individual marks throughout the season.

Head coach Linda Kalafatis expects the trend to continue in 2003 with three All-Big Ten selections returning for the Buckeyes in pitcher Katie Chain, and the left-side of the infield, shortstop Jennifer Link and third baseman Kristine Himes. Overall, seven starters or part-time starters return from last year's squad to guide the Buckeyes back to the NCAA tournament.

Fresh off a trip to Los Angeles, Calif., the Alabama softball team packs its bags and once again hits the road.

Alabama has never played Ohio State or FIU, but the Tide and the FAU Owls have a bit of NCAA history. The two first met in the 2000 NCAA Regional tournament where Alabama was victorious in a 1-0 nine-inning marathon. FAU got its revenge in last year’s NCAA Regional tournament eliminating the Crimson Tide from competition.

The Crimson Tide is led by SEC Player of the Week Ashley Courtney and senior co-captain Lacy Prejean. The two are currently hitting at a .467 clip, Prejean with two home runs and five RBI and Courtney with a double, triple and a home run and a team leading six RBI.

Florida Atlantic University is the preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season championship in both the coaches and media polls. FAU is coming off its best season and has won the past six A-Sun championships.

The Lady Owls received 146 points in the coaches poll, 13 more than second-place UCF. Troy State picked up 120 votes for third-place. In the media poll, FAU received 223 points compared to Troy State's 188. UCF was third with 187.

The preseason all-conference team had two Lady Owls represented. Junior Ginny Matthews (OF) and sophomore Pam Mazzarella (1B) received honors after finishing last season as the program's top two hitters.

Directions to FIU University Park

From Miami International Airport
Take State Road No. 836 West (Dolphin Expressway) to Northwest 107 Avenue/South exit. Proceed south on 107 Avenue to Southwest Eighth Street (SR 41/Tamiami Trail). Turn right on Eighth Street, two traffic lights to Southwest 112 Avenue. Turn left onto campus.

From I-95
Traveling north or south on I-95, exit at State Road 836 West (Dolphin Expressway) to Northwest 107 Avenue/South exit. Proceed south on 107 Avenue to Southwest Eighth Street (SR 41/Tamiami Trail). Turn right on Eighth Street, two traffic lights to Southwest 112 Avenue. Turn left onto campus.

From the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826)
Traveling north or south on the Palmetto Expressway, exit westbound on Southwest Eighth Street (SR 41/Tamiami Trail). Proceed to Southwest 112 Avenue. Turn left onto campus.

From Florida Turnpike
Exit at Southwest Eighth Street (No. 25/Tamiami Trail). Turn right on Eighth Street (SR 41/Tamiami Trail). Proceed to Southwest 112 Avenue. Turn right onto campus.

Ticket Information

The FIU Athletic Ticket Office is located on the first floor southeast side of Golden Panther Arena on the University Park Campus and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Telephone: (866) FIU-GAME or (305) 348-4263 in Miami-Dade County.

Day Pass: $3.00/General Admission | $2.00/FIU Faculty, Staff, Youth and Senior Citizens
FIU Students admitted free with a valid ID card

Schlotzsky's/FIU Invitational Tournament Bracket