Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Softball team is set to begin their season in Arkansas at the Ronnie Hawkins/Mike McGhee Memorial Tournament on February 2-4.

February 2

Game One:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Southwestern Oklahoma State 
First Pitch: 2:00 PM
Location: Hot Springs, Ark.
Site: Majestic Park - Honus Wagner Field

Game Two:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Arkansas-Monticello
First Pitch: 4:30 PM
Location: Hot Springs, Ark.
Site: Majestic Park - Jackie Robinson Field

February 3

Game One:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Henderson State
First Pitch: 10:00 AM
Location: Arkadelphia, Ark.
Site: Henderson State

Game Two:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Ouachita Baptist
First Pitch: 12:30 PM
Location: Arkadelphia, Ark.
Site: Ouachita Baptist

February 4

Game One:
Teams: Missouri Southern vs Henderson State
First Pitch: 10:00 AM
Location: Arkadelphia, Ark.
Site: Henderson State

Media Coverage
Live Video/Stats - https://mssulions.com/sports/softball/schedule
Live Stream for Feb. 2 Games - https://livebarn.com/en/ (Requires One-Time Purchase - Use Promo Code maje-stic for a discount)
Lions on Facebook:  facebook.com/mososoftball
Lions on Twitter: @mssusoftball; @mososports
Lions on Instagram: @moso_softball

Scouting the Lions
The Missouri Southern softball program was picked to finish third in the MIAA preseason coaches poll as announced by the MIAA in January, as well as receiving votes in the NFCA preseason poll. Last season the Lions went 41-15, 21-5 MIAA and had nine named All-MIAA. This season the Lions will be returning eight position players and three pitchers from last season. In total the Lions have three seniors, nine juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen on the roster this season. 

Yazmin Vargas was named a first-team All-MIAA selection last season for the second straight season. Vargas finished the season with a .406 average, 58 hits, 11 RBIs, 41 runs scored, three doubles, two triples and two home runs. Adrianna Young was named an All-MIAA gold glove team selection last season after being named All-MIAA honorable mention her first two years. She finished the season with a .355 average, 49 hits, 138 at-bats, 31 runs, six doubles, two triples, one home run, 15 RBIs, 21 walks drawn, stealing 12 bases with a .449 slugging percentage and .461 on-base percentage for a .910 OPS. Avery Tallman was an All-MIAA honorable mention pitcher and pitched in 35 games with 22 starts for 129.2 innings of work while striking out 67 and opponents hit .249 off her.

Scouting the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs finished last year with a 12-40 overall record and captured seven of those in conference play. They had one All-GAC selection at season's end, sophomore shortstop Maddie Rahon, who was named an honorable mention after batting .349 on the year with 12 doubles and 19 RBIs. Another key returner will be outfielder Katie Boline. She hit .312 and matched Rahon's doubles output while driving in a team high 23 runs.  

Scouting the Blossoms
Returning Head Coach Kyle Lem, alongside the rest of the Blossoms Softball Program were voted to finish sixth overall by the Great American Conference. The Blossoms finished last year with a 24-23 overall record and captured 16 of those in conference play. 

UAM saw junior outfielder Kennedy Cox receive All-GAC First Team honors and redshirt sophomore Bailey Camp earned Second Team after their performance throughout the 2023 season. Cox led the Blossoms with a .405 batting average, a .682 slugging percentage, 50 RBI, 60 hits, 20 doubles and 101 total bases. Camp ended the season with a .357 batting average in 129 at-bats and a .413 OBP. with 30 runs scored.

Scouting the Reddies
Henderson State was picked ninth in the GAC preseason poll after finishing the 2023 season 19-30 with an 11-22 GAC record. Head coach David Martinez brings back a handful of starters from last year's lineup, including all but one pitcher from 2023. Brooke Johnson highlights one of the arms returning after leading the pitching staff in the circle a season ago with a 4.15 ERA in 86.2 innings of action and a 7-7 record. Johnson will also be a key part of the batting lineup, finishing last year with five home runs and 23 runs batted in.

Additionally, the Reddies bring back Katelyn McMahan, who finished third in batting average (.298) and RBIs (21), along with Meagan Allen, who made 22 appearances in the circle with a 4.16 ERA across 67.0 frames. Henderson returns 20 players in total from 2023 and brought in experience through transfer junior pitcher Makenna Keeton from National Park College and senior utility player Jodi De Hart from Division I Texas A&M – Commerce.

Scouting the Tigers
Ouachita finished the 2023 season with a 13-37 overall record. The Tigers won one Great American Conference series on the season, the first of the year against Southwestern Oklahoma State. The Tigers will open the season with new head coach Jeff Jackson out of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Ouachita Baptist University softball catcher Erin Williams was named to the 2023 All-Great American Conference Honorable Mention Team for her efforts in the 2023 season. Williams led the team in batting average, (.361), on base percentage (.407), slugging percentage (.619), hits (53), RBI (26), runs (25), home runs (9), doubles (9), and almost every other offensive category. Behind the plate, the Stuttgart-native caught 12 runners stealing and posted a .964 fielding percentage.