WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - Monmouth University Head Softball Coach Shannon Salsburg has announced the team's 2018 schedule, which begins with a trip to Madeira Beach, Florida on February 16. The Hawks advanced to their third consecutive MAAC Championship round last season, eventually falling to Fairfield, 2-0. Monmouth finished the 2017 season with a 25-31 (11-9 MAAC) record, and will begin the 2018 season with 25 road games. The Blue & White will return to West Long Branch for the home opener on March 27 against Stony Brook.

The Hawks will begin the season at Eastern Michigan's Madeira Beach Invitational from February 16 to February 18, before heading the George Mason's Patriot Classic from March 2 to March 4. Monmouth will then fly across the country to California and compete in the Fresno State Invitational and Loyola Marymount Tournament from March 9 to March 18.  

After the home opener doubleheader against Stony Brook, the Hawks will open MAAC play at Fairfield on March 31 in a rematch of last season's MAAC Championship round. Following a non-conference doubleheader at Delaware on April 4, Monmouth will host MAAC rival Rider on April 7.

Two straight MAAC home doubleheaders on April 14 and 15 against Manhattan and Saint Peter's follow a single-game at Princeton, and Monmouth will remain home for a non-conference contest against Columbia on April 18.

Monmouth will then take to the road for four straight MAAC doubleheaders, including Iona, Quinnipiac, Canisius, and Niagara.

Rounding out the 2018 regular season is three straight series in West Long Branch. The first is a non-conference day against Villanova, followed by conference contests against Marist and Siena on May 5 and May 6, respectively.

The 2018 MAAC Championships will run from May 9 to May 13, hosted by the #1 seed.

A full 2018 schedule can be found HERE

Follow the team on Twitter @MonmouthSB.