HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana softball team will open an arduous 2012 non-conference schedule this week, hosting the Lion Classic, which runs Friday through Sunday at North Oak Park.
 
The Lady Lions open tournament action on Friday against Southern at 3 p.m. and will play Akron later in the day at 5:30 p.m. Southeastern faces Northern Colorado (12:30 p.m.) and Kansas (5:30 p.m.) on Saturday. On Sunday, the Lady Lions close the tournament versus Northern Illinois at 9 a.m.
 
All of Southeastern's games will be played on Field One. Live stats will be available for games on Field One throughout the tournament. Troy, Nicholls State, Tennessee-Martin and Jackson State are also among the 10-team field.
 
The Southeastern lineup will be led by junior outfielder Kelsey Nichols, a second team All-Southland Conference selection in 2011. The Alvin, Texas native led the team with a .358 batting average and 54 hits a season ago. The team's leading home run hitter a season ago – senior outfielder Katie Matthews – will also return after hitting six home runs in her first season with the Lady Lions.
 
Southeastern will see several new faces impact the offense. Junior first baseman Ariell Van Hook will bring added production to the middle of the lineup, while junior Katie Doyle was the team's top hitter in the fall. Sophomore shortstop Kayla Elswick will team with returning sophomore second baseman Megan McCollum to give Southeastern one of the league's top defensive middle infields.
 
In the circle, sophomore Jessie Browne and junior Kenna Terry both are expected to continue to improve after solid debut seasons in the green and gold. Junior Kati Morse and senior Vicki Honeycutt will provide added depth on a pitching staff that is expected to be much improved.
 
Southeastern's first opponent of the season, Southern, is coming off a 21-24 finish in 2011. Juniors Kiah Williams (.398, 8 HR, 41 RBI in 2011) and Shawntall Steamer (.373, 7 HR, 34 RBI) are the top returning hitters for Southern. Sophomore Lindsey Konopelko returns in the circle, after finishing with a 7-9 mark in 2011.
 
Akron and Southeastern will also face off on Friday. Junior Alissa Birkhimer (.318, 10 HR, 31 RBI) returns for the Zips, who finished 24-24 a season ago. Birkhimer is also the team's top returning pitcher, after finishing 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA and two saves in 2011.
 
Southeastern opens the second day of the tournament against a Northern Colorado team that finished 17-35 in 2011. Senior Erin Geddis hit .300 as a junior and returns for the Bears. Megan Wilkinson (0-5, 7.45 ERA) is the only returning pitcher for UNCO.
 
Big 12 Conference member Kansas is making its first appearance in the Lion Classic. The Jayhawks finished 31-22 last season and return junior Maggie Hull (.346, 9 HR, 49 RBI) and senior Liz Kocon (.322, 14 HR, 40 RBI). Top pitchers Alex Jones (6-2, 2.55 ERA) and Kristin Martinez (12-10, 3.31 ERA) also return for the Jayhawks.
 
Southeastern closes the tournament on Sunday against a Northern Illinois team that posted a 26-27 record last season. Sophomore Stephanie Tofft returns after a freshman season that saw her hit .434 with four home runs and 37 RBI. Tofft (3-3, 2.84 ERA) and fellow sophomore Nicol Gremillion (8-5, 4.75 ERA) return in the circle for the Huskies.
 
Following the tournament, Southeastern returns to action on Wednesday, when it travels to Louisiana Tech for a 3 p.m. doubleheader in Ruston.
 
2012 Lion Classic Schedule
 
Friday, Feb. 10
 
Field One
12:30 – Kansas vs. Tennessee-Martin
3:00 – Southeastern vs. Southern
5:30 – Southeastern vs. Akron
 
Field Two
12:30 – Akron vs. Northern Colorado
3:00 – Kansas vs. Troy
5:30 – Jackson State vs. Northern Colorado
 
Field Three
12:30 – Jackson State vs. Troy
3:00 – Nicholls vs. Northern Illinois
5:30 – Nicholls vs. Tennessee-Martin
 
Saturday, Feb. 11
 
Field One
10:00 – Tennessee-Martin vs. Northern Colorado
12:30 – Southeastern vs. Northern Colorado
3:00 – Troy vs. Nicholls State
5:30 – Southeastern vs. Kansas
 
Field Two
10:00 – Southern vs. Northern Illinois
12:30 – Southern vs. Jackson State
3:00 – Northern Illinois vs. Tennessee-Martin
5:30 – Northern Illinois vs. Troy
 
Field Three
12:30 – Akron vs. Nicholls
3:00 – Kansas vs. Jackson State
5:30 – Akron vs. Southern
 
Sunday, Feb. 12
 
Field One
9:00 – Southeastern vs. Northern Illinois
11:00 – Jackson State vs. Nicholls
 
Field Two
10:00 – Akron vs. Troy
12:00 – Tennessee-Martin vs. Southern
 
Field Three
10:00 – Northern Colorado vs. Kansas