FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern softball team will get the 2020 season started this weekend, playing in six-straight games at the Gulf Shores Invitational. During the event, NSU will play two games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, competing against four South Region opponents including fourth-ranked West Florida.
 
On Friday, the Sharks will take on Lubbock Christian and West Alabama at 10:00 a.m. CST and 12:30 p.m. (CST), respectively. Last season, LCU finished in fourth place of the Heartland Conference (16-14) and ended the season as the runner-up at the Heartland Conference Championships with a 32-19 overall season. Now a member of the Lone Star Conference, the Chaps have been selected to finish ninth in their preseason poll. West Alabama went 30-23 overall and 15-13 in league play in 2019, which helped the team qualify for the GSC Championship Tournament for the first time in five seasons and marked the 18th appearance overall for the program. The Tigers return their top eight hitters including All-GSC Second Team selections Kierra Hague and Grace Self.
 
NSU's first game on Saturday is slated for 2:00 p.m. (CST) as the Sharks will take on Lee University. Chosen to place ninth in the Gulf South Conference, the Flames finished 22-31 overall in 2019, and lost a few key players but return offensive threats Abby McKinney and Taylor De Adder. Nova Southeastern's second game on Saturday will be against No. 4 West Florida, slated for 4:30 p.m. (CST). The Argonauts had a banner year in 2019, winning its fourth Gulf South Conference title, winning 54 games, and advancing to the NCAA Championship for the second time in the last three years. UWF returns nine starters and 15 letterwinners from last year's South Region Championship team, including All-Americans Teala Howard and Kelsey Sweatt, and NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team member Grace Gilbert.
 
Wrapping up play in the Gulf Shores Invitational on Sunday, NSU's first game of the day will be against South Region member Delta State at 9:30 a.m. (CST). Picked to finish 11th in the GSC Poll, the Lady Statesmen went 22-25 in 2019 and welcome seven freshmen to the 2020 squad. Nova Southeastern's final game of the weekend will be against Rogers State, with first pitch scheduled for 11:30 a.m. (CST). The Hillcats were picked to finish fourth in their inaugural season in the MIAA conference, returning eight of their starters from last season as well as ace pitcher, Andrea Morales, who won Heartland Conference Pitcher of the Year honors and All-American Honors from FastPitch News.
 
To keep up with this weekend's games, head to the softball schedule page for live stat links. Only Friday's game against West Alabama will be live streamed.