CLEVELAND, Ga. (Dec. 30, 2019) – The No. 18 Truett McConnell University softball team is one of 17 teams that will compete in the 2020 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NAIA Leadoff Classic. The tournament is set for Feb. 28 – March 1 at the South Commons Complex in Columbus, Georgia, where the NAIA Softball World Series is played.
 
The tournament features seven programs, including TMU, who completed the 2019 season ranked in the final NAIA softball coaches top 25 poll; starting with No. 4 Georgia Gwinnett College, whom the Lady Bears went 3-1 against throughout two regular season doubleheaders in 2019. The field also features No. 7 University of Mobile, No. 14 Indiana Wesleyan, No. 14 Campbellsville University, No. 21 William Carey University and No. 23 University of Rio Grande.
 
TMU is one of four Appalachian Athletic Conference members at the tournament; Brenau University, who finished the season receiving votes, and Bryan College and Reinhardt University.
 
Furthermore, the Lady Bears posted the fourth most wins (42) amongst the tournament competition in 2019. Mobile leads recording the most with 53.
 
"We are very excited to be participating in this great NAIA tournament for the first time," Head Coach Jenni Shepard said. "This tournament is one where we will get to play teams that we don't normally get to face and that will prepare us for our season and postseason run."
 
TMU's schedule for the tournament can be seen here on our schedule page. The team is set to kick off their regular season on Tuesday, Feb. 4, against Middle Georgia State at the TMU Softball Complex.