After finishing as the 2013 Great American Conference Tournament Runners-Up, the Henderson State softball team is looking for bigger things in 2014.
 
Nine players return from a team that finished 23-32 which included a spot in the GAC Championship game.
 
"I am very excited about this year's team," said head coach Beth Jackson who is in her sixth season. "The team chemistry is excellent this year and I am expecting us to be very competitive and excel in the conference."
 
The season begins Saturday when the Lady Reddies host the HSU Softball Classic at Dee White Field on the Henderson State campus.
 
The three day event will start with the Lady Reddies facing Lincoln at 10 a.m. followed by a match-up against Cameron at Noon.
 
On Sunday, the Lady Reddies will begin with a 10 a.m. game against Delta State, followed by a meeting with Tarleton State at Noon.
 
Henderson State will finish the tournament on Monday against Tarleton State with the first pitch set for 10 a.m.
 
Sarah Gipson returns for her junior season after leading the team with a .343 batting average. A two-time All-GAC pick, Gipson had a .544 slugging percentage with the help of 7 doubles and 9 home runs.
 
"Sarah is really looking good offensively," said Jackson. "I am confident that this could be a huge year for her."
 
Morgan South returns and will see time at both third base as well as the outfield.
South ended the year batting .303 with four doubles. A GAC All-Tournament team honoree, the sophomore from Wynne, Ark. was 6-for-13 in the post-season tournament.
 
"Morgan just knows how to get the job done and always comes through in the clutch," said Jackson. "She has had some big games for us and I look for that to continue."
 
Catcher Amber Klug returns to the lineup after missing last season.
 
Klug hit for a .335 average with 9 doubles and 31 RBI in 2012. Also a two-time all-conference selection, Klug is one of the better catchers in the GAC.
 
"I am so glad to have Amber back," Jackson said. "She is a leader on and off the field and has been solid behind the plate and looks great offensively."
 
Another all-conference player returning is the versatile Kayla Williams.
 
Williams has been effective in the circle as well as with the bat.
 
The senior from Longview, Texas hit .333 a year ago and recorded 9 stolen bases.
 
Henderson's top pitcher, Williams sported a 13-14 record and struck out 82 batters in 165 innings of work.
 
Last season, Williams picked up two complete-game wins against No. 5 Southeastern Oklahoma, earning GAC Pitcher of the Week.
 
"Kayla has been pitching very well and she is ready for the season," Jackson said. "Her movement and location has been on point, and she is one to watch on the base path."
 
Also returning are outfielders Amy Halter and Allison Waggoner and infielder Kailey Johnson.
 
Halter played in 48 games last season and hit .288 with four doubles and a team-best 12 stolen bases, while Waggoner was a .228 hitter with 4 RBI.
 
Johnson saw limited action a year ago, but will add depth at first and third base.
 
Along with Williams, pitchers Cagen Medlock and Hannah Bender return.
 
Medlock appeared in 20 games and had a 3-4 record with a 3.59 ERA. In 62 innings of work, the native of Whitehouse, Texas struck out 35 batters.
 
Bender is back for her sophomore year and will see plenty of playing time in the circle. The Tontitown, Ark. product pitched in a relief role last year and appeared in five games
 
Newcomers Katie McMullen and Ashlyn White are also expected to pitch this season for the Lady Reddies.
 
McMullen lettered three years at Princeton High School and led her team to the district championship during her senior year. An academic all-conference pick, McMullen earned Pitcher of the Year honors.
 
White comes to Henderson from Spring Hill High School in Texas where she was an all-district pick.
 
White, who was awarded the 2013 Wendy's Heisman Athlete and Leadership Award during her senior year, tied the school record for home runs with 18 during junior year.
Henderson welcomes several newcomers to the infield including transfers Alicia Zack and Tricia Hock, along with freshmen Keirsten Seahorn and Jaylin Baldridge.
 
Zack played two years at Arkansas Tech and was an All-GAC shortstop in 2011. Her sophomore year in Russellville, Zack played in 47 games and hit for a .247 average.
 
Hock transfers from Texarkana College where she earned first-team all-conference and all-region honors. A four-year letter winner at Sweeney High School, the second baseman led her team to a regional championship while posting a .376 average.
 
Seahorn and Baldridge will both back up Klug at catcher while also seeing time in the infield.
 
Seahorn compiled a .374 batting average her senior year at Harmony High School and earned District MVP as well as All-East Texas honors.
 
Baldridge lettered four years at George Ranch High School and was an Academic All-State and first team all-district honoree.
 
"Our newcomers have really brought a lot to the table this year," said Jackson. "Seahorn and White will be two big contributors to the team. Seahorn will see time behind the plate and middle infield, while White will get a lot of innings pitching. Both have excellent bats will bring a lot of run support."
 
 
         TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Saturday, February 1
TIME              VISITOR                          HOME
10 a.m.           Lincoln              vs.         Henderson State            LIVE STATS
Noon              Cameron           vs.         Henderson State            No Live Stats
2 p.m.             Cameron           vs.         Lincoln                             No Live Stats
 
Sunday, February 2
TIME              VISITOR                          HOME
10 a.m.           Delta State        vs.         Henderson State            LIVE STATS
Noon              Tarleton State   vs.         Henderson State            LIVE STATS
2 p.m.             Lincoln              vs.         Tarleton State                 LIVE STATS
 
Monday, February 3
TIME              VISITOR                          HOME
10 a.m.           Tarleton State   vs.         Henderson State            LIVE STATS
12:30 p.m.      Tarleton State   vs.         Lincoln                             LIVE STATS