ARKADELPHIA, Ark. -- Reddie Softball, thanks in part to a three game road sweep of East Central last weekend, has qualified for the 2025 GAC Softball Championship, to be held this Thursday, May 1st through Saturday, May 3rd at the Tiger Athletic Complex in Bentonville, AR. Henderson State is the number 8 seed in the tournament, and will play top seeded Southern Arkansas at 1:00 Thursday.

The Reddies (30-23, 14-19 GAC) are led offensively by the three-headed monster of Josie Copeland, Hilary Akers, and Justine Burch. Copeland leads the team in batting average (.389) and on base percentage (.459), while Akers paces the team in hits (69), doubles (18), home runs (8), and RBI (45). Burch leads the team in on base percentage (.464) and stolen bases (27), good for fifth best in the conference.

In the circle, a balanced attack of Makenna Keeton, Jersey Cabana, and Presley Applegate look to shut down opposing batters. Keeton holds the team lead in ERA (2.56) and innings pitched (95.2), while Cabana leads the team in starts (17) and shutouts (3). Applegate has been the most effective at the end of games, securing the lead in saves (7) while allowing the fewest hits of any Reddie pitcher with at least 15 appearances.

Henderson State will face top seeded Southern Arkansas in the first round of the single elimination tournament. The Muleriders swept the Reddies in Magnolia a month ago, but the Reddies hold the hot hand, winning 5 consecutive games coming into the tournament, while SAU comes in as losers of 3 of their final 5 contests.
 

Team Previews:

Henderson State Reddies: 30-23, 14-19 GAC

Coach: Joel Worthington (1st Season)
 

Team Statistical Leaders:

AVG: Josie Copeland (.389)

H: Hilary Akers (69)

HR: Akers (8)

RBI: Akers (45)
 

Southern Arkansas Muleriders: 39-8, 28-4 GAC

Coach: Jason Anderson (11th Season)
 

Team Statistical Leaders: 

AVG: Sophia Stoddard (.362)

H: Stoddard (51)

HR: Regan Dillon (12)

RBI: Dillon (36)