Jan. 30, 2008

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri softball team will hold its annual Black and Gold game on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. (CT) in the Dan Devine Pavilion. The game offers fans an exciting opportunity to catch the Tigers in action before they open regular season play the following week. The Tigers will be divided into two squads to help showcase their skills. Free parking will be offered to the public on the west side of the football stadium. Fans are encouraged to take the pedestrian walkway across Providence Road for easy access to the Dan Devine Pavilion.

The Tigers received a No. 21 ranking in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Poll, released Tuesday, and were picked No. 4 in this month's Big 12 Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.

Saturday's game is the Tigers' final preseason tune-up before heading to Miami, Fla., to open the regular season in the FIU Invitational, Feb. 8-10. The three-day tournament features teams from around the nation, including 15th-ranked Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, Texas-Arlington and host Florida International. The championship game will be held Feb. 10.

Mizzou's first home game of the 2008 campaign is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 20 against UMKC. Game times for the home opening doubleheader are set for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Should the current cold weather persist, the Tigers will move the game from their home of University Field to the confines of Dan Devine Pavilion. Stay tuned to www.mutigers.com for the latest information.