Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney softball team begins its 2016 season this weekend at the 7th Annual Desert Stinger Tournament in Las Vegas.

Montana State-Billings is the host of the tournament, held at Majestic Park in Northwest Vegas, near the Summerlin area. Over three days, 24 Division II teams will play 60 games.

UNK is scheduled to face former Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference rivals Colorado-Colorado Springs (6:30 p.m. Central) and New Mexico Highlands on Friday (9:00 p.m. Central).

On Saturday, the Lopers have just one contest, a game vs. Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foe Mary, N.D. (1:30 p.m. Central). Finally, on Sunday, Kearney faces two more NSIC teams in Minot State, N.D. (1:30 p.m. Central) and Concordia-St. Paul (4:00 p.m. Central).

All 60 games will have live stats; fans can also follow the UNK_Softball Twitter feed for additional updates. A tourney web page has been setup that includes a complete schedule, field assignments, and, eventually, the all-tourney team.

Finally, fans attending can buy tickets on-line; tickets sold at the gate will be cash only.

This is UNK's first trip to Sin City since 2005 when it played five games over three days in Eastern Vegas.