VILLANOVA, Pa – Villanova Softball is slated to begin their 2020 season on Friday, as they head to Jacksonville University to take on San Diego State at 12:00 PM as part of the River City Leadoff.
 
In her second year at the helm, head coach Bridget Orchard and the Wildcats face a tough opening slate. Including the River City Leadoff, Villanova will play in five tournaments before their home opener on March 11 against Lafayette.
 
"It's going to be a lot of games," Orchard said. "We're going to kind of put them through the wringer and see how they come out. They're aware of it and know how it's going to be."
 
In addition to playing a lot of games in a few days, the Wildcats will also be playing some of the nation's best. When they travel to Arkansas for the Woo Pig Classic, Villanova takes on Baylor – who received five votes in the preseason poll -- No. 24 Arkansas and No. 9 Florida State. They also have a clash against No. 25 Wisconsin on March 18.
 
According to Orchard, those games will be learning experiences
 
"I think our biggest thing is staying confident," Orchard said. "These are big teams; these are Power Five teams that we're playing. Just compete and learn from your mistakes. We're hoping to win, but if we can have good at-bats off certain pitchers, we'll take that this early in the season."
 
Although there will be challenges, the Wildcats have depth. They return 12 players after making it to the BIG EAST Championship Game a year ago. Headlining the group is Paige Rauch, the reigning BIG EAST Player of the Year and First Team All-BIG EAST performer. She is joined by Angela Giampolo, a Second Team All-BIG EAST performer.
 
Orchard said that she believes that the offense will be a strength of the team this year, and certainly Rauch and Giampolo factor into that. However, she added that she thinks contributions will come from all over.
 
Caroline Jones, Gabby Wenn and Becky Ducar were mentioned as players who Orchard hopes can help the younger players. Megan Kern, Chloe Smith, Julia DaCosta, Sara Kennedy, Victoria Sebastian, Ryan Henry and Ally Jones were also brought up as key cogs by Orchard.
 
"The difference this year is that they all have roles that we need them to play," Orchard said. "I think we have different people who can step up, which is nice."
 
Villanova opens up conference play on March 20 when Georgetown comes to town for a three-game series. If all goes according to plan, the tough stretch of games at the beginning of the year will make the back end of the schedule easier.
 
"Our first BIG EAST game, we want all the kinks out," Orchard said. "We want to know our communication; we want to know each other very well by the time BIG EAST comes. Those games we have to win."
 
Ultimately, the goal for the 2020 team is to win the BIG EAST. A year ago, the team snuck into the tournament by earning the last spot. If Orchard has her way, things will be different come tournament time this season.
 
"Last year we snuck in the last spot," Orchard said. "We didn't control our own destiny. First goal is controlling our destiny and win early. We want to be the regular season champs or get the one or two seed."
 
Villanova's quest begins on Feb. 7 when they travel to Jacksonville to take on San Diego State. They then face the Aztecs and Jacksonville on Feb. 8, before closing out the tournament with games against Nicholls State and Jacksonville on Feb. 9.