ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State (2-2, 0-0) travels to Bentonville, Ark. to take part in the Alvy Early Memorial Classic, where the Reddies will face four teams in two days, beginning with Washburn at 11 p.m. and Pittsburg State at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11.  
 
HSU wraps up the tournament on Sunday, Feb. 12, against Lincoln Missouri at 11 p.m. and Central Missouri at 1:30 p.m.
 
REDDIES REPORT
HSU opened its season with the Hawkins-McGhee Memorial Tournament, in which the Reddies finished 2-2 after three days of play. HSU accumulated 25 hits across the four games, including eight extra bases and a home run.
 
Henderson fell to Christian Brothers 12-0 on the first day but regrouped on the following day, defeating Missouri Southern 11-3 and Northeastern State 4-3. The Reddies ended the tournament with a loss to Missouri Southern 4-1 on the final day.
 
True Freshman Josie Copeland started in the last three games of the tournament and swung the bat well in each contest, finishing the weekend with a .667 batting average. Copeland went 3-of-3 at the plate in her first collegiate start, including a double on her first at-bat. The first baseman finished the weekend with six hits, two RBIs, and a home run.
 
Meagan Allen made her first start for the Reddies in the circle after transferring in from Northwest Mississippi Community College. The Lepanto, Ark. native went 2-0 across the tournament with a start against Missouri Southern in the first game and an appearance out of the bullpen versus Northeastern State. Allen gave up zero runs in 8.0 innings of work and recorded two strikeouts.
 
This will be the first time in three years that Henderson takes part in the Alvy Early Memorial Classic. Since 2012, the Reddies are 8-13 in the competition. The last time HSU participated in the tournament, Henderson finished 1-4 with a win over Wayne State College.
 
SCOUTING WASHBURN
After losing on opening day to Southern Nazarene, No. 22 Washburn has won four straight contests, including a victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State 4-1 in its last game.
 
The Ichabod's leaned Jaycee Ginter in the circle, who finished 3-0, earning an MIAA Pitcher of the Week Award. Ginter had a 0.61 ERA over five games and recorded 33 strikeouts in 23.0 innings of work, including a complete game shutout against Lubbock Christian.  
 
SCOUTING PITTSBURG STATE 
The Gorillas lost three of the four games in the DII Spring Invitational Kickoff. Pittsburg State's only win this season came against Angelo State 3-2.
 
Heather Arnett is the Gorillas' best hitter through four games, with a batting average of .412 on 17 plate appearances. In the circle, Pittsburg State is led by Lilli Weir, who pitched 17.1 innings at the tournament and had 15 strikeouts.
 
SCOUTING LINCOLN MISSOURI
Due to the weather, Lincoln Missouri has yet to play a game in 2023. Last season, the Blue Tigers finished 12-35 overall and winless in MIAA play.
 
Lincoln Missouri returns a handful of players from last year's roster, including leading hitter Leslie Callahan. Callahan had a batting average of .353 in 2022 and recorded 32 RBIs and four home runs.
 
SCOUTING CENTRAL MISSOURI
The Jennies take the diamond for the first time in 2023 at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic. Central Missouri was picked to finish sixth in the MIAA preseason poll after ending last season 17-36.
 
Central Missouri returns its two best hitters from a season ago in Aubrie McRoberts and Makenzie McAtee. The pair both hit over .300 last year and combined for 37 RBIs, 91 hits and 16 doubles. McAtee had the second most home runs on the team, recording four.