OMAHA, Neb. - Head softball coach Mike Heard announced the 2023 schedule Friday morning. The Mavericks will play in four non-conference tournaments and be at home 14 times this season.

"Our non-conference schedule presents some very tough challenges this spring," said Heard. "We are excited about the opportunity to play such high level competition and help us prepare for our Summit League schedule."

The 2023 slate begins on Feb. 10 at the UNI Dome Tournament. It marks the third straight season the Mavericks have begun their season at the Dome. Omaha will play a five-game weekend vs. Iowa State, UNI, and Drake.

Omaha heads south the following weekend to play in the Texas Classic. Action begins on Friday, Feb. 17 vs. Incarnate Word and Texas. The Mavericks will play another pair against the two and close the weekend vs. Loyola Chicago.

On March 3-5, Omaha will participate in the Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic hosted by Central Arkansas. The Mavericks will take on the host, Alcorn State, and Iowa over the three-day stretch.

The non-conference tournament schedule will wrap up at the Bulldog Invitational March 10-12. Omaha will play another five-games vs. Southeastern Louisiana, East Tennessee State, Mississippi State, and the defending national champion Oklahoma.

"We'll have a mix of experienced returners and some newcomers we expect to contribute," continued Heard. "It will be fun watching them grow together as we work through this schedule."

Omaha's home opener is slated for Wednesday, March 15 vs. in-state rival Nebraska. First pitch for the Mavericks and Huskers is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Connie Claussen Field.

The next four games will be played on the road. The Mavericks have doubleheaders scheduled with Iowa State and BYU the weekend of March 18-19.

The Mavericks then return home to play Creighton on March 22. The teams will meet again later in the season on April 11 down the street. Omaha will have one other non-conference game at Wichita State on March 29.

Summit League action opened March 25-26. Omaha hosts St. Thomas for the first three-game home series. The Mavericks will also host North Dakota (April 1-2), South Dakota (April 22-23), and Western Illinois (April 29-30) as part of league play.

Omaha will play three conference series on the road this season. The Mavericks will be at South Dakota State (April 7-8), Kansas City (April 15-16), and North Dakota State (May 5-6).

For the third straight season, the Mavericks will look to make the Summit League Championship. This season the teams will go up to Brookings, South Dakota May 10-13 to crown a champion.