ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine softball team will officially begin its 2017 season this weekend when it travels for competition in the Grand Canyon University Invitational in Phoenix, Arizona.

Maine will begin with a single game on Friday, March 3 at 8 PM before a doubleheader on Saturday, March 4 beginning with another contest against GCU at 4:30 before taking on Creighton at 7. The Black Bears close out the weekend with a Sunday doubleheader following the same schedule as Saturday with GCU at 4:30 and Creighton at 7 p.m.

All times listed are Eastern Standard Time.

The Black Bears, coming off a 2016 America East championship, were selected first place unanimously in the America East preseason coaches poll. Maine returns 19 of 20 players, with the lone loss being America East Player of the Year Janelle Bouchard, from last year's America East championship and NCAA Regional team that finished 28-21. The Black Bears welcome back last year's America East Pitcher of the Year and All-Region selection, Erin Bogdanovich, as well as the America East Rookie of the Year, Alyssa Derrick. Also returning to bolster Maine's attack and defense is eight 2016 All-Conference and All-Rookie selections, including fourth-year Rachel Harvey, who hit .345 in 2016. Harvey is Maine's top returner in terms of average after hitting .345 a year ago with 51 hits, 23 RBI and 29 runs scored. In all, Maine welcomes back six hitters who averaged .323 or better, including fourth-year shortstop Felicia Lennon. Lennon, who hit .328, who ranked second on the team with 32 RBI, added 12 doubles while scoring 27 runs. In the circle, Maine returns the top three ERAs in America East in Bogdanovich, Molly Flowers and Annie Kennedy.

While Maine has yet to start its season, GCU enters the weekend with a record of 16-1. Taylor Nowlin's 9-1 mark leads the Lopes as she features a 2.45 ERA and has fanned 52 hittesr over 48.2 innings. First-year Brianna Aquillar-Beaucage has a record of 5-0 in the circle and was recently named WAC Pitcher of the Week after going 3-0 in the previous week. Aquillar-Beaucage's ERA of 2.40 leads the Lopes. Junior outfielder Laynee Gomez leads the offense at .367 with a team-high 17 runs scored. Rookie Loriann Olson is batting .364  while Camree
Wartman is adding a .357 mark and is tied for the team lead with 20 hits to go along with 13 RBI.

Creighton enters play at 4-10. Coming off a 25-22 record in 2016, the Blue Jays return their entire infield. They are led by two-time All-Big East outfielder, Allie Reinhart, who is struggling to start the season but hit .336 in 2016. Tash Coffiel currently leads the Blue Jays with a .250 mark with team-highs in hits (9) and RBIs (6). Jordyn Sturgeon has also driven in six runs while adding a .238 mark at the dish. Creighton is also helped by junior pitcher Bryana Clark, who is 2-4 on the season with a 3.96 ERA.

To follow your Black Bears this weekend and all season long, visit GoBlackBears.com and find all live stats and video links located on the softball team schedule