Henderson State will play its home opener this weekend when the Reddies play host to Arkansas-Fort Smith in a three-game series beginning with a Saturday doubleheader at Noon at Clyde Berry Field.

The Reddies, 0-4 on the season, are coming off a weekend where they lost three games in the late innings at the Houston Winter Invitational at Minute Maid Park.

For the most part, the Henderson State starting pitching staff has performed well, but the bull pen has been a different story. The Reddies lost a pair of leads in the late innings last weekend, with another loss coming in the bottom of the ninth on a walk-off home run.

John Luthe will get the starting nod in game one of the series, with Jordan Wright expected to pitch game two of Saturday's twin bill. Jay Hawley will be on the mound for the series finale on Sunday.

Luthe made his first start last week against nationally-ranked Central Missouri. The senior from Searcy, Ark. is looking to bounce back from a tough outing that saw the right-hander give up nine runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Wright pitched 4 innings in his first start, allowing two runs on two hits against Winona State.

Hawley has been the most effective starter thus far. The freshman from Queen City, Texas pitched 6 innings, struck out four batters, and did not allow an earned run.

Henderson State will also need to get more run production. Last weekend the Reddies struggled to string together hits and left a total of 40 men on base over a span of four games.

Ashton Roberts and Hunter Mayall lead the Henderson offense with a .429 average, while Lee Richardson is hitting .417 with a team-best five hits.

It will be the season opener for UAFS, with the Lions coming off a 29-20 record last season.

The Reddies will likely face Koby Chadick in the opener. Chadick compiled a 5-3 record with one save in 13 appearances that included 10 starts. He sported a 4.45 ERA, struck out 45 and walked 31 over 58 2/3 innings.

Sophomore Austin Duerr will also face the Reddies. The left-hander from Alma, Ark.  had a 3-2 record in 11 appearances that included five starts. Duerr posted a 3.98 ERA, struck out eight and walked 10 over 31 2/3 innings.

Live stats will be available.