The Alabama State Softball team is prepared to open its season against Indiana-University Purdue-University Indianapolis in Macon, Ga. during the Mercer Invitational at Sikes field on Friday, February 8 at 1:15 p.m.
 
This marks the first time in the history of the program the two teams have met. The Lady Hornets returns six starters from last year's squad and looks to start their season off strong. The coaching staff looks for its seniors to step up this season and help motivate the inexperienced players.
 
The anticipation for this weekend is to see the returners and leaders perform in competition as they have during the last three weeks of practice,” Head Coach Telma Hall said. “I am really excited about a few freshmen that have transformed over the past few weeks very well. One will see a lot of action at the plate and the other behind the plate. We haven't played IUPUI before, but we're looking forward to a good opening weekend.”
 
ASU finished tied for sixth overall in the conference with a 13-38 record and was fourth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern division led by Brehanna Rodrigues. The Redlands, Calif. native led the team and was second in the conference with a .407 batting average last season. Rodrigues led the team in runs scored with (38), in hits with (55), and was tied for first in doubles with two. She had a .504 slugging percentage which was the highest on the team. She was second in doubles with nine and was forth in the RBI department with (14). Rodrigues also led the SWAC and the Lady Hornets with a .487 on base percentage.
 
Rodrigues and Meagan Dixon were named to the 2013 All-SWAC Preseason First-Team.
 
 
 
                                                                                                    Go Hornets