Ready to hear the clacking of balls hitting a bat as the weather changes to spring? Well the time is here.

North Florida softball opens its 2018 season on Feb. 9 on the road in the Friends of Jaclyn Invitational in Orlando.

The experienced roster has a trio of ASUN honors recipients with junior Navia Penrod at the helm. 10 players returned to play in North Florida’s uniforms this season with eight being starters.

Penrod, a junior utility player, earned ASUN Preseason Player of the Year for her performance last season.

When the 2017 season wrapped up, the squad finished 31-27 overall and fell in an elimination game on May 11 to the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in the ASUN Tournament.

This season, the team has 21 home games for its fan at the Softball Complex, which is currently undergoing renovations.

On Feb. 14, North Florida will travel down the road to Gainesville to face off against the 2017 NCAA Tournament Runner-Up Florida Gators. Two days later, the Ospreys kick off their home campaign with the Courtyard Marriott UNF Invite. When the end of March rolls onto the calendar, ASUN play starts off with the opening series against crosstown rival Jacksonville University.

Notable games to keep an eye out for this season are Louisville (Feb. 10),  Florida (Feb. 14), Florida State (Mar. 10 at UNF) and Notre Dame (Mar. 13 at UNF).