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CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The Southeast Missouri softball team kicks off its 2014 campaign at the Mardi Gras Classic in Monroe, La.
 
The Redhawks get started with a pair of games on Friday. A 1:15 p.m. start against Houston Baptist is followed by a 3:15 p.m. first-pitch against the host, Louisiana-Monroe.
 
The three-day classic continues Saturday with a rematch against Houston Baptist at 11 a.m. and a 1:15 p.m. start against Grambling State. The Redhawks close out the weekend on Sunday against Grambling State at noon.
 
Southeast returns just three position starters from a year ago, highlighted by First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection Alexis Anderson. The senior hit .403 after playing in all 48 games a year ago, making 46 starts.
 
Anderson led the Redhawks with 58 hits and 91 total bases while tying for second with 8 home runs and ranking third with 26 RBI's.
 
Anderson was also named to the All-Newcomer Team and was joined by catcher Chelsea Smith.
 
Smith batted .265 and gunned down 15 runners on the bases, which ranked for third most in the OVC.
 
The Redhawks will rely heavily on a pair of freshman righties, Keaira Schilling and Aubrey Denno in the circle. Junior Lindsey Patterson and sophomore Hannah Durham also saw limited time from the pitching rubber but came mostly in relief.
 
Houston Baptist enters the weekend 2-3 on the season having taken part in the Lad Techster Tournament in Ruston, La., last weekend.
 
Louisiana-Monroe is 3-2 on the young season after competing in the Plainsmen Invite hosted by Auburn.
 
This is the opening weekend for Grambling State, a squad that went 11-35 a year ago.
 
All games at the Mardi Gras Classic will have live pay-per-view video along with free live stats.