Henderson State will begin the 2018 softball season this weekend when the Reddies play host to the Ronnie Hawkins Memorial Invitational beginning Saturday at Dee White Field.

The Reddies face Southwest Baptist on Saturday at 1 p.m. and then take on Rogers State at 3 p.m. Henderson will conclude the tournament on Sunday against Missouri S&T with the first pitch set for 11 a.m.

Henderson, picked fourth in the 2018 Great American Conference preseason coaches poll, returns eight starters and 14 lettermen from a year ago.

Among those returning is three-time All-GAC pitcher Michelle Sorensen. Sorensen holds the Reddies' career record for wins (58) and strikeouts (593).

The native of Sherwood, Ark. Sorensen had a 2.00 ERA a year ago and struck out 208 batters in 220.2 innings of work.
Sorensen, who will also see action at first-base, saw limited action at the plate in 2017 going 9-for-40 while driving in 3 RBI.

"Michelle is a different player from a year ago," said head coach Beth Jackson. "She made some changes in her pitching as well as improving with her offensive skills. Michelle is determined to make her last year one to remember."

Sorensen's battery mate is two-time All-GAC catcher Courtney Warren. The senior from Midland, Texas was HSU's team leader in hits (57) and total bases (79) last season while posting a .309 batting average including 10 doubles and 4 home runs.

"Courtney has taken on the role as a leader and leads by example," Jackson said. "I feel that Michelle and Courtney are among the best pitcher/catcher duos in the country."

Sydney Bonner will also return to the circle following a year that saw her finish with a 5-9 record and a 2.43 ERA. The senior from East End, Ark. made 20 pitching appearances a year ago and worked 103.2 innings.

Others expected to pitch for the Reddies are Cayleigh Guthrie and Kelsey Rhine.

Guthrie had a 3-6 record her freshman season and recorded 32 strikeouts in 65.1 innings.

Rhine, who will also platoon at first-base, comes to Henderson from Northwest High School in Haslett, Texas where she was a two-time Second-Team All-District 5A selection.

Alexia Lopez will return to the field after sitting out 2017 due to injury. The senior from Odessa, Texas started 41 games for the Reddies in 2016 and hit five home runs while totaling 20 RBI.

Also returning to the field after redshirting last year because of injuries is infielder Caroline Cullins. An honorable mention All-GAC selection in 2016, the junior from Atlanta, Texas had a .257 average with 24 stolen bases during her sophomore campaign.

Outfielder Alexis Morton was one of Henderson's top hitters last season, bolstering a .311 average with three home runs and 14 RBI. The junior from Princeton, Texas led the team with 10 stolen bases and was second on the team in multiple-hit games with 14.

Bethany Allen returns at shortstop for the Reddies. After missing the first six weeks of the season last year, the senior from Mineral Wells, Texas finished the year with a .289 average including hitting .333 against Arkansas GAC opponents.

Ashleigh Erb is set to start at third-base after starting 55 games as sophomore while hitting 10 doubles and driving in 19 runs.

Also returning are Olivia Trapp and Selena Mendoza. Trapp split time at second base and in the outfield last season and hit for a .270 average, while Mendoza was primarily Henderson's designated player having a .250 average with 15 RBI.

Newcomers that are expected to have an impact are Nadia Ballarin, Christianna Camp, and Madie Green.

Ballarin is a middle infielder who transfers from Northeast Texas Community College where she earned all-conference honors last year after hitting for a .328 average.

Camp was a first-team All-Jayhawk Conference and All-Region pick last year at Independence Community College. The sophomore catcher hit for a .384 average with 7 home runs and 24 runs batted in.

Green is a freshman outfielder from Timber Creek High School in Fort Worth, Texas. An All-Area and All-State pick, Green hit for a .421 average with a school record 11 home runs, 51 RBI and 42 runs scored her senior year.

"I am really excited about this team," said Jackson. "Last year we suffered some injuries and everything that could go wrong, did. There is more cohesiveness this year and this team has made great improvements from last year."