Sixteen Teams to Participate in NFCA Division 1 Leadoff Classic

The NFCA Leadoff Classic is returning to the Division 1 softball schedule in 2023.

A 16-team field was announced on Wednesday; the tournament will take place on opening weekend of the Division 1 season and will return to Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater,  Florida.

Northwestern and Texas, two teams that played in the Women’s College World Series last season, highlight a field that includes a total of ten NCAA tournament participants from a season ago and ten Power 5 programs.

In total, nine conferences are represented with the SEC boasting the highest participation in the tournament field with four teams. The full list of participating programs includes Auburn, Fordham, Howard, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Missouri, Northwestern, Pittsburgh, Prairie View A&M, St. John’s, South Alabama, Southern, Tennessee and Texas.

Highlights from the game schedule include Louisville vs. Kentucky; Texas vs. Northwestern; Tennessee vs. Texas; and Missouri vs. Northwestern. A full game schedule can be found here.