KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan University softball team has announced its 2016 spring schedule. The Broncos return almost its entire roster from last year's squad that finished as Mid-American Conference Tournament runners-up.

The 2016 schedule features nine games with four teams that competed in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, including Michigan, Notre Dame, Fairfield and defending MAC champion Ball State, as well as a total of 16 home games at Fran Ebert Field.

WMU kicks off the 2016 campaign in Las Cruces, N.M., at the New Mexico State Tournament, Feb. 19-21, playing six games against teams to be announced. The trip breaks Western Michigan's streak of opening the season nine consecutive years at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz.

Following the New Mexico State Tournament, the Broncos head to the Kennesaw State Tournament, Feb. 26-28, to face Kennesaw State, Alabama A&M and UT-Martin.

WMU then makes its yearly trip to Florida to compete in the University of South Florida Under Armour Invitational, March 4-13. During their time in Tampa, WMU will cross paths with Cornell, East Carolina, Providence, St. Bonaventure, the College of Charleston, Maine, Butler, Quinnipiac, IPFW and Iona. The Broncos will also play three games in Clearwater during their stay in the Sunshine State, going up against 2015 NCAA Tournament participant Fairfield, Seton Hall and Maine.

Before Mid-American Conference (MAC) play gets underway, Western Michigan squares off against in-state rival and 2015 NCAA Tournament runner-up Michigan in Ann Arbor on March 22. The game against the Wolverines is one of six non-conference midweek contests surrounding MAC play along with Michigan State, IPFW, Detroit, Notre Dame and an opponent to be announced.

Western Michigan begins its MAC schedule with a three-game series at Ohio, March 25-26. The home opening weekend is slated for April 1-2 against Buffalo. In addition to UB, the Broncos will host Miami, Toledo and Eastern Michigan in three-game home series. Western Michigan and Central Michigan are also set to face one another in the annual rivalry. Two games will be held in Mount Pleasant on April 5 and the final game of the series is scheduled to be played in Kalamazoo on April 13.

This year's MAC Tournament will be held May 11-14 at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio. Last year Western Michigan was the tournament's No. 5 seed and finished second to Ball State. After falling to No. 4 CMU in the opening game off the tournament the Broncos went on to beat No. 8 Ohio, No. 3 Miami, No. 1 Kent State and the Chippewas in elimination games before facing Ball State in the championship round.