The Wildcats will play five games from February 7-9 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex, including matchups with 2024 Women’s College World Series participant, Duke, and Super Regional qualifiers, Missouri and Tennessee.
This marks the 22nd iteration of the opening weekend tournament, a four-day showcase which features 17 programs across eight difference conferences. Tickets are now available for purchase.
Most recently in 2024, Northwestern welcomed six new starters to the lineup and clinched the program’s third-consecutive regular season title, just the second time in school history “three-peating.” The Wildcats won every Big Ten series (8-0) for the second season in a row while locking up an NCAA postseason bid for the sixth consecutive season and the 22nd appearance in program history. Northwestern took home a haul of Big Ten awards that included Kate Drohan being named the Big Ten Coach of the Year for third season in a row and sixth time in her career.
This 2025 season, the ‘Cats are set to return seven starters from their reigning Big Ten championship squad, including NFCA All-American Kelsey Nader and D1 Softball All-American Kansas Robinson each in their junior seasons, as well as 2024 Big Ten All-Freshman Team and All-Defensive Team honoree Emma Raye. Additionally, Northwestern welcomes a consensus Top-25 Signing Class that is comprised of four newcomers in Kaylie Avvisato (Leesburg, Va.), Emma Blea (Fresno, Calif.), Kate Dowden (Indianapolis, Ind.), and Avery Garden (Allen Park, Mich.).
2025 NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Schedule
Friday, Feb. 7 – Northwestern vs. Kennesaw State – 12 pm CT – Field 2
Friday, Feb. 7 – Missouri vs. Northwestern – 3 pm CT – Field 3
Saturday, Feb. 8 – Duke vs. Northwestern – 2 pm CT – Field 9
Saturday, Feb. 8 – Tennessee vs. Northwestern – 5 pm CT – Field 9
Sunday, Feb. 9 – Northwestern vs. Southern Miss – 9 am CT – Field 1
More on the NFCA Leadoff Classic:
The 22nd NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic takes place Feb. 6-9 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Fla. All games will be streamed live (free) on the GameChanger App with contests on fields 8 and 9 featuring a dedicated broadcast team and a multi-camera view. This marks the seventh consecutive tournament in Clearwater (2012-14, 2020, 2023-25). The first 15 tournaments were held in Columbus, Ga., from 1996 through 2010. Northwestern last traveled to the tournament to open the 2023 season, going 2-2 headlined by a 10-9 comeback win over No. 6 Texas on February 10.
