WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. - The West Liberty University softball team has set its 52-game schedule for the upcoming 2023 season.

Led by 25th-year head coach Herb Minch, the defending MEC north division champion Hilltoppers will be at home for 12 doubleheaders beginning with a non-conference home opener versus Salem on February 28.

The season starts with a spring break trip down south. On the way down to the Sunshine State, West Liberty will make a pit stop at Coker University in South Carolina on February 4 and 5 for four games to kick off the 2023 campaign. Once in Florida, the Black and Gold will take on Barry, Nova Southeastern, and Palm Beach Atlantic over a three-day stretch starting on February 10. 

Another trip to South Carolina on February 26  rounds out a 10-game road trip to begin the year, as WLU takes on the Francis Marion Patriots.

After the home opener, the Hilltoppers load the buses again to travel to Mount Olive in North Carolina for a four game set over the weekend of March 4 and 5.

Home twin bills versus Shepherd and Clarion set the Black and Gold up for the start of Mountain East Conference play.

MEC action commences with road trips to Notre Dame (Ohio) and Alderson Broaddus on March 18 and 19. The 'Toppers welcome their first conference foe, West Virginia State, to the hilltop on March 25 after a midweek home non-conference battle with Seton Hill on the 23rd.

Wheeling plays host to the Hilltoppers, before they return home against Frostburg State and Fairmont State to begin the April calendar. 

Trips to Glenville State and Concord on April 7 and 8 set up a six-game home stretch.

The longest home stand of the season starts on April 12 hosting crosstown rival Wheeling. That weekend, Davis & Elkins along with West Virginia Wesleyan come to town on Saturday (15th) and Sunday (16th), all doubleheaders.

A split weekend at Fairmont State and Frostburg State on April 22 and 23 caps off the road schedule for the Hilltoppers.

West Liberty wraps up regular season play in front of the home crowd on April 28 and 29 against Alderson Broaddus and Notre Dame.

The Mountain East Conference Tournament will be May 5-7. The top-four teams in each division, based on conference winning percentage, will compete for the crown and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Follow West Liberty Softball online all season at HilltopperSports.com and on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.