MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Opening weekend for the Barry University softball team takes them to the Eckerd College Triton Invitational at the Eddie C. Moore Complex on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

After going 32-15 and 16-8 in the Sunshine State Conference in 2015, the Bucs get going this weekend with five games in three days.

They return 10 players with starting experience, including 2015 SSC Player of the Year Dee Espinosa, All-Conference performers Megan Copeland and Alayna Gallagher and 2014 All-SSC Kayla Ogle, who re-shirted last season. Espinosa, a second-team NFCA All-American and member of the NFCA/Shutt Sports Player of the Year Watch List, hit .415 with 25 doubles, 10 homers and 48 RBI in 47 games. She set Barry records with a .524 on-base percentage, thanks to a league-high 30 walks, and a .837 slugging percentage. The outfield returns all three starters from a year ago, plus has Ogle back in the fold. Copeland, who took over for Ogle in centerfield and the leadoff slot, will move back to her natural left field. She hit .377 with 39 runs scored and 23 stolen bases. She was also the toughest on the team to strike out, fanning just seven times in 184 plate appearances. Gallagher patrolled left field last season, but should take over in right this year. She hit an even .300 as a rookie, earning second-team All-SSC, and led the team with 16 sacrifices. Ogle returns to her centerfield slot. In 2014, she hit .383 and was fourth in the nation with 45 steals, earning first-team All-SSC.

On Friday night, the Buccaneers face off with the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish. The Sailfish (33-22 last season) took three of four games from the Bucs last year, though Barry still holds a 28-14 edge in the overall series. It will be the first time that the two have met on a neutral field. The Sailfish are 1-2 this season after opening last weekend at the Florida Tech Marriott Kickoff Classic. The 'Fish beat Flagler 5-3, but lost to Texas Women's 6-3 and Mars Hill 5-4. They will also play Shorter at the EC Invite prior to Barry.

On Saturday, Feb. 6, the Bucs face the Shorter Hawks (43-17) from the Gulf South Conference and Chadron Eagles (15-35) from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Hawks advanced all the way to the national tournament, falling to the eventual national champs. Shorter won the first meeting between the teams last season, 6-2, at the EC Tournament. The Eagles, who did not win a non-conference games last year, fell to the Bucs 4-2. Shorter plays PBA, Saint Leo and Lynn prior facing the Bucs. The Eagles face SLU, Lynn and Eckerd before taking on the Bucs.

On Sunday, Feb. 7, Barry takes on Colorado Christian (23-29) from the RMAC and SSC foe Tampa (28-13, 16-8, 1st SSC)). The Bucs knocked off the Cougars 9-2 last season and have won two of three games in the series. Tampa, who won the tie-breaker with the Bucs to claim the SSC title last year, went two-and-out at the Regional. The Cougars run the slate of SSC teams in the tournament, facing Lynn, Nova Southeastern, Florida Southern and Florida Tech, before ending with the Bucs and Rollins. The Bucs and Spartans close the tournament against each other. Tampa sees Ursuline, Valdosta State, PBA and NSU before Barry.

All games will have live statistical coverage on the Buccaneers' portal on Stretch Internet.

Game Times and coverage

Opponent	Date	Location	Coverage
Palm Beach Atlantic	Friday, Feb 5, 2016 7:00 pm	Eddie C. Moore Complex Clearwater, Fla. Field 1	Live Stats
Shorter	Saturday, Feb 6, 2016 1:30 pm	Eddie C. Moore Complex Clearwater, Fla. Field 4	Live Stats
Chadron State	Saturday, Feb 6, 2016 4:00 pm	Eddie C. Moore Complex Clearwater, Fla. Field 4	Live Stats
Colorado Christian	Sunday, Feb 7, 2016 9:00 am	Eddie C. Moore Complex Clearwater, Fla. Field 2	Live Stats
Tampa	Sunday, Feb 7, 2016  11:30 pm	Eddie C. Moore Complex Clearwater, Fla. Field 4	Live Stats