G1/G3: SBU BEARCATS at HENDERSON STATE LADY REDDIES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 • 11:00 AM
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 • 11:00 AM
G2/G4: SBU BEARCATS vs OUACHITA BAPTIST LADY TIGERS
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13 • 3:00 PM
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14 • 3:00 PM
ARKADELPHIA, AR • HENDERSON STATE DEE WHIT FIELD

G5/G6: SBU BEARCATS at ARKANSAS TECH GOLDEN SUNS
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15 • 1:00 PM/3:00 PM • CHARTWELLS SPORTS COMPLEX

SBU NOTES

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. -- After a season in which SBU softball re-wrote their record books, the Bearcats look to improve even more in 2010, starting with games in Arkadelphia this weekend. SBU was originally scheduled to play four different Arkansas schools, but now instead will take on Arkadelphia neighbors Henderson State and Ouachita Baptist on Saturday and Sunday. The Bearcats will also visit Arkansas Tech on Monday, in a doubleheader originally scheduled for last Tuesday.

Last season SBU set 15 new school records, including new marks in home runs (28), runs scored (199), hits (383), RBI (166), stolen bases (59), and doubles (60). The Bearcats went on a six-game winning streak in late March, the longest win streak for the program in over a decade. They ended the season with a no-hitter by junior pitcher Josie Rose against Missouri S&T, and a sweep over Northwest Missouri State. Rose also became SBU's all-time strikeout leader, with her 360th strikeout in the last series of the season against Northwest Missouri. The Bearcats return all four starting pitchers from last season, where as a team they posted a 3.69 ERA. Rose led the pitching staff with 15 wins and a 3.17 ERA, with 173 strikeouts.

Leading the offense is junior third baseman Krysta Baderdeen, who hit .425 with eight home runs and 35 RBI. SBU's all-time home run leader, McKenzie Mortimer, returns for her senior season. The Pleasant Hope, Mo. native broke the career home run mark last year with an inside-the-park shot in February against Henderson State. Mortimer has been named All-MIAA in all three years at SBU.

ABOUT THE COACHES
Christy Capner returned to her alma mater before the 2007 season as she was named head coach of the Bearcats. Capner has seen six All-MIAA awards given out to her players over the last three seasons, and has seen steady improvement, going from eight wins in 2007, to 23 last year.

Mike McGhee is head coach for Ouachita Baptist. McGhee led the Lady Tigers to a Gulf South Conference Tournament berth, where they fell before almost upsetting Valdosta State is the opening game. Beth Jackson is starting her second year as coach for the Henderson State Reddies. Jackson led Henderson state to a 20-34 record last season, including 9-21 in the Gulf South Conference.

Gidget Pambianchi was named head coach for Arkansas Tech before the 2006 season, and has seen improvement since then, including winning GSC West Division championships in 2008 & 2009.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Sophomore Ashley Ray is the leading returner for Henderson State. Ray started all but two games for the Reddies, where she hit .282 and had a .340 slugging percentage.

Ouachita Baptist has gotten an early start on the season, already splitting a double-header with Lyon College, losing 2-0 before taking the second, 3-0. Senior Haley Chambers is off to a strong start, going 3-for-3 with 2 RBI in the Tigers' win.

Arkansas Tech has already jumped out to a 4-0 start, sweeping double-headers against Northeastern State and Central Missouri. Taylor Gates led the Golden Suns' offense throughout the week, as the third baseman went 5-for-10 over the four games, including four doubles, three RBI, and three stolen bases.