The Henderson State softball team will begin its seventh season under head coach Beth Jackson on Saturday as they travel to Cleveland, Miss. to take on Delta State in a double header beginning at noon.

Picked to finish fourth in the Great American Conference preseason poll, the Reddies return 10 players from last season's team that finished in third place with a 31-25 record.

"The main things we worked on were speed and quickness this offseason," Jackson said. "The girls also improved in the weight room, working on their strength and hitting for this upcoming season."

Second Team All-GAC selection and first baseman Sarah Gipson returns after ending last season with a 15-game hitting streak. The senior from Grand Saline, Texas led the team in doubles with 14, and had 12 multiple RBI games.

Also returning at third base is Morgan South, who earned second-team Daktronics All-Central Region and First Team All-GAC honors last season. She ended last year with a .291 batting average, and five of her six home runs came against GAC opponents.

Ashlyn White, who was Honorable Mention All-GAC in the 2014 campaign, returns at pitcher after a stellar freshman season.

In last season's GAC Tournament, White blasted two home runs and had six RBI. White finished the year hitting at a .362 average which was second on the team. She also led the team in slugging percentage (.611), RBI (45), home runs (10), and total bases (92). In 2014, she had a 6-3 record in the circle and struck out 36 batters, also recording five saves which is the second most in a season at HSU.

"I'm excited for Ashlyn this year," Jackson said. "She knows what the college experience is like now, and I expect big things from her."

Returning at shortstop is senior Alicia Zack, a Second Team All-GAC selection last year. In 2014, she hit .314 with 10 doubles and 31 runs scored.

Second baseman Tricia Hock led the team last season in runs scored with 45 and stolen bases with 16, and also had a .421 on base percentage.

Other returners from last season's squad are senior outfielder Amy Halter (.290 batting avg. last season), junior pitcher Hannah Bender and outfielder Alison Waggoner, and sophomores Katie McMullen (pitcher) and Keirsten Seahorn (catcher).

Jackson signed two junior college transfers and seven freshmen in this season's class.

Transferring from Paris Junior College in Texas and hoping to add depth at pitcher is Ali Hargis, and utility player Taylor Daniels transfers from Midland College in California.

This year's freshman class includes Caroline Cullins, Courtney Warren, Olivia Trapp, Destiny Garza, Shayla Wright, Tessa Olsson, and Michelle Sorensen.

"Our freshmen are giving the returners a run for their money right now, and I'm extremely pleased with the fight that this group has in them." Jackson said. "They're going to be a fun group to watch in the years to come."

Assisting Jackson this season is graduate assistant coach Katey Gorsage and student assistants Cagen Medlock and Julia Schulz.

The Reddies' home opener will be Friday, Feb. 6 at Dee White field as HSU will co-host the Ronnie Hawkins Invitational with OBU.

Henderson State opens with Missouri Western State at noon, with a matchup against Lincoln University immediately following.