HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana softball team will open the 2009 season by hosting the three-day, nine-team Hampton Inn Lion Classic beginning Friday at North Oak Park.

The Lady Lions will open tournament play on Friday at 12 p.m. versus Alabama State. Later in the day, North Dakota State and Southeastern will meet at 5 p.m. On Saturday, Southeastern is scheduled to face Southern at 10 a.m. and Belmont at 12:30 p.m.

Southeastern will wrap up tournament play on Sunday, facing Tennessee-Martin at 10 a.m. and Jackson State at 12:30 p.m. Live statistics for all of Southeastern's tournament games will be available at www.LionSports.net. Grambling and Mississippi Valley State will also participate in the tournament.

The Southeastern offense will benefit from returning the heart of the order from last season's 27-25 squad. The All-SLC senior duo of third baseman Heather Sherrill (.364, 9 HR, 41 RBI in 2008) and catcher Allyson McCubbins (.260, 8 HR, 27 RBI), along with sophomore shortstop Katie Duhe (.350, 7 HR, 36 RBI), give the Lady Lions a premier middle of the lineup.

Returning sophomores Kelly Lyman and Tamra Ladnier, as well as newcomers Meghan Gomez, Amber Freeman, Chelsea Takacs, Jordan Logan and Lauren Coniglio will also provide the offense with added depth and production. Southeastern hit a school-record 43 home runs last season.

Southeastern will feature a new ace in the circle with the graduation of three-time All-SLC pitcher Rachel Ray. Junior Jenna Yoder (9-9, 3.06 ERA) developed into a solid compliment to Ray last season and will be the team's most experienced arm in 2009. Yoder will head a staff that includes returning sophomore Bailey Zievert, as well as newcomers Katelyn Thomason, Catherine Gunther and Elise Kittrell.

Following this weekend's action, Southeastern will return to action on Wednesday, hosting No. 19 LSU at 5:30 p.m. at North Oak Park. For ticket information on all Southeastern Athletic events, contact the Lion Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net.

2009 Hampton Inn Lion Classic

Friday, February 13
Field One
12 p.m. – Southeastern Louisiana vs. Alabama State
2:30 p.m. – Belmont vs. Alabama State
5 p.m. – Southeastern Louisiana vs. North Dakota State

Field Two
12 p.m. – Jackson State vs. North Dakota State
2:30 p.m. – Jackson State vs. Southern
5 p.m. – Belmont vs. Grambling

Field Three
12 p.m. – Mississippi Valley State vs. Tennessee-Martin
2:30 p.m. – Mississippi Valley State vs. Grambling
5 p.m. – Southern vs. Tennessee-Martin

Saturday, February 14
Field One
10 a.m. – Southeastern Louisiana vs. Southern
12:30 p.m. – Southeastern Louisiana vs. Belmont
3 p.m. – Tennessee-Martin vs. North Dakota State
5:30 p.m. – Belmont vs. North Dakota State

Field Two
10 a.m. – North Dakota State vs. Grambling
12:30 p.m. – Mississippi Valley State vs. Alabama State
3 p.m. – Jackson State vs. Grambling
5:30 p.m. – Jackson State vs. Tennessee-Martin

Field Three
3 p.m. – Southern vs. Alabama State

Sunday, February 15
Field One
10 a.m. – Southeastern Louisiana vs. Tennessee-Martin
12:30 p.m. – Southeastern Louisiana vs. Jackson State

Field Two
10 a.m. – Mississippi Valley State vs. Belmont
12:30 p.m. – Mississippi Valley State vs. Southern

Field Three
10 a.m. – Alabama State vs. Grambling