BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.  – Gardner-Webb softball and head coach Bailey Wigness released the full slate for the upcoming 2024 season this Friday. The Runnin' Bulldogs visit Furman University and Clemson University March 12-13 for back-to-back non-conference action highlighting the 'Dawgs future schedule.
 
Gardner-Webb's full schedule includes 54 total games featuring 29 home games at Brinkley Softball Stadium, split into 20 non-conference games and nine in Big South play. The Runnin' Bulldogs will play in a total of four tournaments to open the upcoming season, with the 'Dawgs hosting three in Boiling Springs.  
 
"This is a great schedule for us," said Wigness. "Our preseason will be tough; we have a good mix of road and home games. We are excited to host three home tournaments this year, because we love playing in front of our fans. We just want to see improvement every weekend to get prepared for Big South play. 
 
Wigness' squad opens its season with the first tournament, The Runnin' Bulldog Classic, on Friday, February 9 vs. the University of Delaware at 3:00 p.m. and ETSU at 5:00 p.m. in Brinkley Softball Stadium. GWU welcome Youngstown State University. 
 
After its opening classic, Gardner-Webb will travel to Troy, Alabama to compete in the Troy Tournament with a first-day matchup against Troy University (Feb. 16) at 2:00 p.m. The Runnin' Bulldogs follow up with FAMU and Indiana University (Feb. 17) and end with Troy again (Feb. 18) to close out the tournament. 
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs then return home for a matchup with the University of Rhode Island before the Red and Black Classic from Feb. 23-25 with Lindenwood University, Hampton University, and Marist College. 
 
Before the 'Dawgs last home tournament, Gardner-Webb visits local-foe Western Carolina University on Feb. 28 at 4:00 p.m. GWU will host the Spring in the Springs with Binghamton University, NC A&T, and Mercer University (March 1-3) before its first doubleheader of the season with Queens University of Charlotte (Mar. 6) at 3:00 p.m. 
 
Gardner-Webb then begins a seven-game road trip, travelling to Cullowhee, North Carolina for the Western Carolina Tournament from Mar. 8-10. The 'Dawgs open the tournament against Kent State University and NC Central on (Mar. 8), following up with NC Central and Western Carolina on the 9th, and capping off the invite with Kent State on the 10th. After the Runnin' Bulldogs final tournament of the season, they visit the Paladins for a doubleheader and then the Tigers for a single game (Mar. 12-13).
 
The 'Dawgs will finish non-conference action against Wofford College (Mar. 27), at ETSU (April 2), Western Carolina (Apr. 16), and Wofford again on May 1st to end the regular season.
 
"Every weekend in conference should be a competitive series. I am excited to see what this team can accomplish in 2024."
 
The Big South schedule also features home series vs. Longwood University (Mar. 16-17), Charleston Southern University (Mar. 29-30), and Presbyterian College (April 27-28). The road trips include Winthrop University (Mar. 23-24), Radford University (Apr. 6-7), and USC Upstate (Apr. 19-20). 
 
The Big South Conference Softball Tournament will be held in Rock Hill, S.C., from May 9-11 at Winthrop – the winner will receive an automatic bid to the 2024 NCAA Tournament.