GAME COVERAGE LINKS: Live Video | Live Stats | 2021 Softball Gameday Information
 
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Henderson State softball team starts its 2021 season this Friday against the Delta State Lady Statesmen in a doubleheader. First pitch is at 1 p.m. inside Dee White Field. This will be the Reddies' first action since Mar. 7 due to COVID-19.
 
REDDIES REPORT
- Henderson State comes into this season led by first-year head coach David Martinez. Martinez had served as the assistant coach for the Reddies for three years prior to this new position, including his first year in 2018 when HSU saw its best record since 2016 at 33-25.
 
- Last year's season, before getting cut short, saw Henderson putting the pieces of the puzzle together. HSU won four of its final five games and had a .500 (6-6) record in conference play and 10-14 overall. The Reddies were also 4-4 when playing on their own field.
 
- Henderson State won the last meeting with the Lady Statesmen, 4-3, at the Charger Chillout Tournament in Huntsville, Alabama back in 2018. The Reddies have fared better at home against DSU, splitting the last four home meetings since 2012 versus going 0-4 against DSU in Cleveland, Mississippi.
 
- The Reddies come into this season much more experienced than last, having only lost three seniors from last year's team. HSU has eight new faces on the 26-man roster, which include seven freshmen and junior transfer Brooke Arnold.
 
- Returning to the mound for Henderson are two veterans in juniors Mallory Brewer and Becca Almond. Brewer started in 12 of the 16 games she appeared in last season and pitched 47% of all innings for HSU. Almond held a 4-3 record with an ERA of 3.52 as a starter in 2020. In the final game of the Reddies' season, Almond shutout Southern Nazarene while only giving up three hits.
 
SCOUTING DELTA STATE
- Delta State will see a familiar face Friday afternoon. Henderson State head coach David Martinez was an assistant coach for the Lady Statesmen for eight years from 2009-2016.
 
- The Lady Statesmen had lost six of its final eight games before last year's interruption of play. Their final two games, however, were wins over Great American Conference member Arkansas-Monticello. Delta State was 0-7 on the road last season.
 
- Returning for DSU is last-year's hitting leader Taylor Picou. Picou hit .367 and had a strong .673 slugging percentage. She also led the Lady Statesmen with 18 hits and four home runs. Julie Scheuermann matched Picou with nine RBIs last season.