NCAA Division I Softball Returns to Leesburg

For immediate release: November 5, 2021
Contact: Office of the City Manager
352-728-9786 ext. 1100
citymanager@leesburgflorida.gov

NCAA Division I Softball returns to Leesburg
Northern Lights/Southern Nights Invitational set for February 2022

LEESBURG, FL – Division I softball is returning to Leesburg’s Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex in February, 2022. The inaugural Northern Lights/Southern Nights Invitational will be held February 10-13, 2022, opening weekend of women’s college softball.

The twelve-team field represents six different conferences and will include three teams who made it to last year’s super-regional finals and three other 2021 tournament participants. Programs coming to Leesburg for this event are Missouri, Virginia Tech, Kentucky, Northwestern, Liberty, Eastern Kentucky, Wisconsin, UConn, Pitt, Iowa, Hofstra and Michigan State.

Although Women’s college softball is a spring sport, the season actually starts in winter putting northern teams at a disadvantage. The Northern Lights/Southern Nights tournament’s goal is to offer a level playing field by matching top teams that are unable or only occasionally able to practice outdoors at the beginning of the season due to weather.

“Leesburg is excited to once again host these Division I athletes at our Sleepy Hollow facility,” said Mayor John Christian. “We look forward to a great tournament and welcoming all the athletes, their families and fans to our city.”

Tickets for the Northern Lights/Southern Nights tournament are now on sale on the event website at www.northernlightssoftball.com.

Leesburg is a progressive city of more than 23,000 residents in northwest Lake County. The city government serves twice as many people with its electric, gas, water and wastewater public utilities. Leesburg is also a central hub for commerce, attracting 50,000 people to work each weekday. For more information, visit www.leesburgflorida.gov.

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