Complete Game Notes
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri softball team will begin the 2013 season Thursday afternoon when they take on the Jackson State Tigers at 4 p.m. Southeast will travel to Monroe, La. Friday to participate in the Mardi Gras Classic hosted by Louisiana-Monroe.
Redhawks Softball Notebook
Series History Against Jackson State
Southeast is set to open the season at Jackson State for the fifth time in six seasons Thursday. The Redhawks look to rebound against the Tigers after being run-ruled in the season opener last season. Jackson State defeated the Redhawks 1-11 in five innings. Southeast is 4-1 against Jackson State all-time.
Looking for a Repeat
Southeast will compete for the Mardi Gras Classic Championship title for the second year in a row. The Redhawks won the 2012 Mardi Gras Classic after going 4-1 in the tournament. Southeast will face-off against Mississippi Valley State and Grambling on Friday, Feb. 8, host-school Louisiana-Monroe and Northwestern on Saturday, Feb. 9, and close-out the tournament against UC Santa Barbara Sunday, Feb. 10. Southeast set a number of season-highs at the Mardi Gras Classic last year including runs scored (21, vs. Grambling on Feb. 11), walks (11, vs. Grambling on Feb. 11), and stolen bases (5, vs. Grambling on Feb. 10).
31 Years of Excellence
Lana Richmond is set to begin her 31st season as the head coach of the Redhawks. Coach Richmond's career record at Southeast is 858-643-2. She is currently on her way to capturing her 600th NCAA Division I victory (585-503-2). The five-time Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year currently ranks 40th in Victories of all NCAA divisions.
An Even Split
Nine returnees and nine newcomers make up the 2013 roster. Pitching figures to be a major focus of this year's team after Southeast lost its top two pitchers at the end of the 2012 season. Offensively, the Redhawks bring back three of their top hitters, including two which hit over .300 (Taylor Cowan, Simone Patterson). Southeast ranked second in the OVC with a .282 batting average last season.
Preseason Poll
The 2013 OVC Preseason Poll was released Jan. 16. Southeast was picked to finish fifth in the West Division of the conference. With the inclusion of Belmont and SIUE, 2013 is the first year for divisional play in the league, which features 12 teams for the first time in league history. Defending champion UT Martin led the West Division in voting while Jacksonville State led the East.
Up Next
The Redhawks will take a couple weeks off from competition before competing in the Blues City Classic in Southaven, Miss. hosted by Memphis Feb. 22-24. The Redhawks will host the All-Missouri Cancer Classic Mar. 1-3. The Redhawks will play host the Missouri Tigers, Missouri State Bears, Saint Louis Billikens, and the UMKC Kangaroos in the three-day tournament to fight cancer.
