JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Saint Peter's University softball team and head coach
Chris Stelma have announced the team's 2021 slate. This year's schedule is comprised of 40 games and will consist solely of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) competition due to the season's later-than-usual start date.
The team returns to the diamond following a strong start in 2020, despite the abrupt ending of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team garnered four wins through 14 games on the season, marking their strongest start since 2007, when the program finished 22-23 on the year and a conference record of 11-5.
The Peacocks began to hit their stride right before last year's cancellation, finishing with three wins in their last four games, including a sweep in their doubleheader at Coppin State on March 11. The two games against the Golden Eagles featured wins by scores of 7-6 in the first match, followed by a commanding 9-1 victory through five innings in the second bout.
"We have been excited for the opportunity to show off the progress we have made since the last conference season in 2019," said Stelma. "We are ready to endure anything the spring throws our way and we will remember what it felt like last spring to be left without softball. As a team we have carried that with us in the way we work and with everything we do. This team is ready and they deserve all the good things that are about to come their way."
The 2021 campaign will feature 24 home games over the course of 12 series at Jaroschak Field. The Peacocks will face every other MAAC school four times to account for its full 40-game ledger.
Saint Peter's will open 2021 with home-field advantage through two straight series in Jersey City, as they prepare to host Iona from March 20-21, followed by games against Manhattan the following weekend on March 27-28. Next, the Peacocks will travel to 2019 MAAC champion and hOURglass rival Monmouth for a midweek twin bill on March 31.
The Peacocks return home for their next series against Quinnipiac to open up the month of April, after which they travel north to Poughkeepsie for a weekend set at Marist (April 10-11). Saint Peter's then welcomes Rider to Jaroschak Field for its second midweek double dip on April 14.
That opens up an eight-game homestand for Saint Peter's, which will entertain Siena the weekend of April 17-18 before another midweek clash with Monmouth to round out that season series on April 21. The Peacocks then up I-95 to take on Fairfield the following weekend (April 24-25).
Saint Peter's concludes the home portion of its schedule with a weekend set against Niagara to usher in the month of May before rounding out the regular with six road games starting with a midweek doubleheader at Rider (May 5) before trekking to Buffalo for a weekend set at Canisius (May 7-8).
The 2021 MAAC Softball Championship is set to take place from May 14-16, and will be played between the league's top four teams in place of the traditional format of the conference's top six squads. The number one seed will serve as the host institution for the championship.
