CHARLESTON, Ill. -- The unofficial start of spring has been pushed back a week, as the Eastern Illinois softball squad's participation in this weekend's two-day Hornet Invitational was cancelled due to inclement weather in Alabama.

The Panthers, originally scheduled to open the 2010 campaign versus the host 'Bama State squad and midwest foe Akron on Saturday and Sunday, hit inclement weather on the way down south, forcing the team to turn around and return to Charleston.

First day action of the invite had already been cancelled due to a rare snowstorm hammering the southeast on Friday and Saturday.

EIU will now have another week to prepare for next week's two-day Panther Invitational, hosted by Georgia State in Atlanta, Ga.  Action is set to begin next Saturday (Feb. 20) afternoon with EIU taking on East Tennessee State, Temple, and the host squad.

... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID