CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri will open its 2012 season at Southwestern Athletic Conference member Jackson State Thursday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m., CT, at the JSU Softball Complex.

Thursday's contest marks the first of six games Southeast will play during its opening week of the season. The Redhawks will continue on to the Mardi Gras Classic this weekend. Southeast will join Grambling State, IUPUI, tournament host Louisiana-Monroe and Northwestern State at this year's three-day event.

Jackson State advanced to its first-ever NCAA Regional in 2011. The Tigers finished the year at 26-22 overall and finished second in the SWAC's West Division with a 14-3 mark. JSU won the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, where it was eliminated in the Tuscaloosa Regional.

Southeast opens its season at Jackson State for the fourth time in five years. The Redhawks won each of the previous three season-opening matchups between these teams (2008, 2009, 2010). Southeast outscored the Tigers by a combined, 30-3, and recorded two shutouts in that stretch.

Lana Richmond enters her 30th season as Southeast's head coach. Richmond has the longest consecutive tenure of any Southeast and current Ohio Valley Conference coach. She ranks 14th all-time in the NCAA with 833 career victories. The Redhawks went 31-30 overall and fell one win shy of making the NCAA Tournament in 2011.

Southeast was picked fifth in this year's OVC Preseason Poll. The Redhawks return six position starters and four pitchers this year. All-OVC performers Renee Kertz, Alora Marble and Cheyenne Gipson highlight that group.

Kertz, a three-year starter at shortstop, earned Second-Team All-Conference honors after ranking second on the team with a .328 batting average. Kertz also broke Southeast's single-season record with 48 RBI in 2011.

Marble, a Second-Team All-OVC and All-Newcomer selection, is back as the Redhawks top pitcher. She compiled an 18-8 record with a 2.99 ERA over a team-high 41 appearacnes and 24 starts as a freshman. Marble led the Redhawks in innings (159.1) and strikeouts (97), while tying for first in the OVC in saves (3) and ranking fourth in wins.

Gipson hit .306 en route to OVC All-Newcomer accolades last season.

In addition, outfielder Evan Sallis is back after breaking Southeast's single-season record and leading the OVC with 208 at-bats a year ago. Sallis was fourth on the team with a .303 batting average and finished the season as the Redhawks top run-producer.

Southeast is 11-8 all-time in season-openers since its move to the NCAA Divison I level. The Redhawks are 5-1 in their last six season-opening games.

UL Monroe Mardi Gras Classic Coverage Information

Dates: Feb. 10-12, 2012
Site: Monroe, La.
Facility: ULM Softball Complex
Participating Teams: Southeast Missouri, UL Monroe, Grambling State, IUPUI
Tournament Schedule:
Feb. 10 vs. Grambling State, 10 a.m., CT
Feb. 10 vs. IUPUI, 2 p.m., CT
Feb. 11 vs. Grambling State, 9 a.m., CT
Feb. 11 at UL Monroe, 3 p.m., CT
Feb. 12 vs. Northwestern State, 11 a.m., CT
Live Stats for All Games

2012 Southeast Missouri Softball Preview
The Southeast Missouri softball team fell one win shy of making the NCAA Tournament a year ago and hopes to build on that magic when it takes the field in 2012.

Southeast went 31-30 overall and forced a winner-take-all title game with Jacksonville State as the No. 5 seed at the 2011 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. The Redhawks went 12-6 in their final 18 games and upended OVC regular-season champion and top-seeded Eastern Illinois twice to advance to the tournament's championship round.

“I think the success from last season has already carried over,” said Lana Richmond, who enters her 30th year as Southeast's head coach. “Last year's finish was a big boost for this team.”

Southeast returns six position starters, four pitchers and three All-Conference performers in 2012.

The Redhawks were picked fifth in the conference's Preseason Poll after garnering 132 points and one first-place vote in the overall balloting by OVC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors.

“This year should be very competitive and we are eager to get going,” said Richmond. “Opening day can't come soon enough!”

Here is a positional breakdown on this year's team:

Catching
Newcomers Xia Wilson (Fort Collins, Colo.) and Jamie Woodworth (Sparta, Ill.) are expected to share starting duties behind the plate this season.

Wilson is a junior from Tallahassee Community College, where she hit .275 with 14 runs, four doubles, a triple, three home runs and 18 RBI a year ago.

“Xia was our No. 3 hitter in the fall and she is improving her receiving and footwork each day,” said Richmond.

A true freshman, Woodworth was a four-year starter at Sparta High School, where she earned All-Conference and All-Area accolades. She is a versatile player, who saw action at four different positions as a prep.

“Jamie was probably our biggest surprise in the fall,” said Richmond. “I've watched her grow up and I was impressed with what she gave us behind the plate right off the bat. She is one of the best blockers I have seen.”

It's no secret that Southeast struggled to throw out baserunners in 2011, so the addition of Wilson and Woodworth should shore up that part of the defense.

Sophomore Alene Bethel (Veradale, Wash.) rounds out the catchers.

“Alene has been moved to a utility position this season and will increase our depth behind the plate and at first base,” added Richmond.
    
Pitching
Pitching figures to be a major strength for the Redhawks in 2012.

Southeast returns four pitchers, including senior Stefanie Barnes (Union City, Calif.), junior Taylor Cowan (Columbia, Mo.) and sophomores Alora Marble (Jefferson City, Mo.) and Shea Cothren (Paragould, Ark.). That group was responsible for all of the Redhawks wins inside the circle last season.

“Our pitching staff is experienced and each one of these individuals brings something different to the table,” said Richmond.

Barnes, who proved to be most effective when following Marble and Cothren, went 3-2 with a 4.17 ERA and struck out 33 in 40 innings last season. She is tough to hit and does an excellent job of keeping hitters guessing.

“Stefanie can throw teams off,” commented Richmond. “She is becoming much more consistent around the strike zone.”

Cowan gave the team a big lift in her debut at pitcher in 2011. She finished second on the team with six victories in 34 appearances and seven starts. In addition, Cowan hit .279 and finished among the top-three on the team in doubles (t1st, 12) and home runs (3rd, 8) in 54 starts as designated player.

“Taylor is a dual-threat for us,” said Richmond. “She gave us quality innings on the mound and provided a strong bat at the plate.”

Marble and Cothren experienced those typical growing pains as true freshmen, but both progressed as the year went along.

A Second-Team All-OVC and All-Newcomer selection, Marble compiled an 18-8 record with a 2.99 ERA over a team-high 41 appearances and 24 starts last season. She led the Redhawks in innings (159.1) and strikeouts (97), while tying for first in the OVC in saves (3) and ranking fourth in wins. Marble threw 12 complete games as Southeast's ace in 2011.

“Luey can throw strikes at anytime and is very consistent,” quoted Richmond. “She can adapt to any strike zone.”

While Marble appears to have a lock as a continuous starter, Cothren will battle for that position as well.

Cothren finished second on the team in wins and strikeouts with six and 54, respectively. She made 36 appearances and 24 starts, working a total of 101 innings. Cothren threw three complete games and picked up two saves, as well.

“Shea is another threat after getting one full year of experience under her belt,” added Richmond. “She will be in the mix for that top spot.”

Freshman Lindsey Patterson (Anna, Ill.) is the newest member of Southeast's staff.

Patterson was a four-year starter at nearby Anna-Jonesboro High School, where she boasted an ERA of under 1.00 as a sophomore (0.55) and freshman (0.80). The fact that she is a good hitter is an added bonus.

“Lindsey will throw innings for us. She has good velocity and is going to be a factor,” said Richmond. “She is also a great hitter and won the DP spot in the fall.”

Infield
Senior Renee Kertz (St. Louis, Mo.) and junior Kaitlin Wallace (Newton, Ill.) return to anchor the infield this season.

A three-year starter, Kertz earned Second-Team All-OVC honors after starting all 61 games at shortstop last season. She was Southeast's second-best hitter with a .328 batting average and led the team with 48 RBI.

“Renee brings a lot of experience and stability to our infield,” said Richmond. “She is athletic and brings offensive presence to our team.”

Like Kertz, Wallace also started every game last season. She hit .259 with 30 runs scored, eight doubles, a triple, two home runs and 19 RBI. Wallace will move to second this season after playing every game at third base last year.

“Kaitlin can play anywhere. She is so smart and knows how to handle all situations,” commented Richmond.”

Junior Leah Becker (Aztec, N.M.) is the lead candidate at third base. Becker joins the Redhawks from Butler County Community College, where she was a two-year starter.

“Leah has a strong arm and quick reflexes,” described Richmond. “She will be our starting third baseman.”

While those three positions seem to be set, first base will be up for grabs.

As of now, Cowan has the edge based on the fact that she has the most experience. When not pitching, she spent the rest of her time at first base last season.

Freshman Megan Cidlik (Pacific, Mo.), Wilson and Bethel are other possibilities.

Cidlik is a power hitter, who spent the last four years as a starter at Eureka High School. She hit .422 with 27 RBI, a .609 slugging percentage and .526 on-base percentage as a senior.

Wilson and Bethel have game experience at first base, as well. Wilson started there when Tallahassee Community College went 41-22 overall and finished third at the National Junior College Athletic Association National Softball Tournament.

Meanwhile, Bethel spent most  of the fall at first base.

Despite the logjam, Richmond says whoever is producing more offensively will likely start at first base.

“It's crowded, but that's a good problem to have,” said Richmond. “We have some options and we're going to see how everything plays out.”

Freshman Katy McAllister (St. Louis, Mo.) will also look to contribute on the infield at third and second base. McAllister was a four-time Class 3 All-State selection at Affton High School.

“Katy's defensive game progressed during preseason,” said Richmond. “She will add much needed depth to the infield.”

Outfield
The outfield is sparked by the return of starters Evan Sallis (Muskogee, Okla.), Cheyenne Gipson (Skiatook, Okla.) and Shelby Stein (Columbia, Ill.). The trio combined for a total of 161 starts along the wall last season.

Sallis, a senior, ranked fourth on the team  with a .303 batting average and led the OVC with a Southeast single-season record 208 at-bats. She split her time between left and center field with the majority of her starts (42) coming in left.

“Evan has excellent speed and can cover a lot of ground,” said Richmond. “She will move to center field this year. She is also our leadoff hitter, who led us in runs scored.”

Additionally, Sallis was named to the OVC All-Tournament Team after hitting a team-best .455 with five runs, a triple, two RBI, a .545 slugging percentage and .478 on-base percentage in six games at the league's postseason tournament.

Gipson, who enters her junior year, was an OVC All-Newcomer pick. She started 60 games, including 40 in right field. Gipson posted the Redhawks third-best batting average, hitting .306 with 12 RBI.

“Cheyenne has spent the majority of her time in right field, but she may see some action in center,” commented Richmond.

A senior, Stein took advantage of her opportunity to join the starting lineup when Melissa Walker got hurt a year ago. She hit .252 with 13 runs scored and 13 RBI in 56 games and 40 starts. Stein could start in left field.

“Shelby is a player that sometimes goes un-noticed,”  She is going to make every fundamental play for you and gets great reads on fly balls.”

Junior Simone Patterson (Topeka, Kan.) and sophomores Renee Terry (Florissant, Mo.) and Brittany Smith (Barnhart, Mo.) will challenge.

Patterson hit .400 with 60 hits, 10 doubles, two triples and both a team-high 66 RBI and 15 home runs at Butler County Community College. She started two seasons at the junior college level.

Terry played in 40 games, primarily as a pinch-runner in 2011. She scored 18 runs and had one stolen base.

Smith was a four-year starting center fielder at Seckman High School, earning First-Team All-District, All-Conference and All-Region honors her final two prep campaigns.

“Brittany is a competitor and has a passion for the game. She will challenge for starting time in the outfield,” said Richmond. “Simone and Renee give us more depth.”