BROOKLYN, N.Y. — LIU softball is set to begin its 2023 season with multiple southern road trips.
 
The regular season begins in 38 days in Fort Myers, Fla., against UNC Greensboro. That begins the first of five at the FGCU Kickoff Classic.
 
Continuing to stay south, LIU will play five games apiece in Statesboro, Ga., and Rock Hill, S.C., at Georgia Southern and Winthrop, respectively.
 
The Spring Games, one of college softball's largest events events, takes place March 3-11, during which the Sharks will face 10 different opponents in Madeira Beach, Fla.
 
The conference opener is set for March 18 at home against Fairleigh Dickinson at 1 p.m. Senior day is scheduled for April 23 at noon against Merrimack.

"I'm looking forward to watching this team develop during the course of the year," head coach Roy Kortmann said. "We will have some fresh faces out there this season, but this group can compete and become a source of strength for each other."
 
LIU finished 2022 with a 26-31 overall and 13-11 NEC record, coming in fourth in the conference. The Sharks survived elimination in consecutive games in the NEC Tournament before falling to Saint Francis U. in the title game.
 
Camryn Lyman, the conference leader in hits (74), returns as a key member on the offensive side. Among other returners are Maya Avila, Kristen Blanchard, Alyssa O'Donnell and Victoria Zatko.
 
O'Donnell led all pitchers on the Sharks with 11 wins, in 137 1/3 innings.
 
LIU aims to return to the NEC championship for the fifth straight year. The last time the Sharks failed to reach the title game came in 2017.