USF Under Armour Softball Tournament starts this weekend

Featuring a stacked lineup that includes nationally ranked teams and weather that makes people migrate to the Sunshine State, the USF Under Armour Series kicks off this weekend at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater.

In all, 24 teams, including top five programs Michigan and Florida, will compete in three tournaments spanning the next three weekends, with the USF Bulls playing the role of host.

The event, a collaborative effort between USF, the St. Pete-Clearwater Sports Commission and the city of Clearwater, is now in its 6th year.

Tournament director Melissa “Skeeter” Gentile says teams are literally lining up for the chance to come here and participate in these events.

“These three tournaments are some of the largest and most competitive Division I tournaments in the entire country,” she said as she hustled between all three sites at the Moore Complex. “The tournament has built quite a name for itself. We actually have waiting lists for teams for the next three years to get in.”

The first event, the Under Armour Invitational, began Friday morning with a pair of games at 10 a.m. and will continue throughout the weekend. The marquee game comes at noon Sunday when the host Bulls square off against the no. 5 ranked Michigan Wolverines.

Next weekend, the USF Under Armour Showcase will feature the Florida Gators as well as USF, UCONN and a trio of teams from Massachusetts.

The combination of quality completion, first-rate facilities and picture-perfect weather make this an attractive event for visitors and residents alike.

“These teams enjoy coming down here… You have great weather, low chance that you’re going to get games rained out, play great competition and you get to go to the beach in the afternoon,” Gentile said.

 The series concludes with the USF The Game Tournament March 18 to 20.

 The entire schedule can be viewed here.