EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana softball team opens its 2010 season this weekend at the University of Alabama-Huntsville Charger Chillout in Decatur, Alabama.

USI opens the three-day, six-game, classic-style tournament with Truman State University and Columbus State University Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.

The Screaming Eagles take on Delta State University (10 a.m.) and NCAA II Midwest Region foe Wayne State University (noon) Saturday before closing their opening weekend Sunday with games against region foe Ferris State University (11 a.m.) and the University of West Alabama (1 p.m.).

USI, which was 18-33 overall and 8-15 in the GLVC last year, is looking to pick up where it left off the 2009 season when it won nine of its last 12 games, including a season-ending sweep of eventual NCAA II Midwest Region champion University of Indianapolis.

Senior designated player Sara Loete as well as junior infielder Amanda Brendel and junior first baseman Brittany DeWeese return to lead the Eagles in 2010.

Loete earned All-America honors in 2008 after racking up 10 home runs and 54 RBIs. She currently ranks third all-time at USI with 15 home runs and eighth all-time at USI with 81 RBIs.

Brendel earned All-GLVC honors a year ago after recording a .307 batting average, 26 RBIs, and a team-best seven home runs, while DeWeese racked up four home runs, 24 RBIs, and a team-best .323 batting average.

Junior Dawn McClellan and sophomore Hadley Clark return to lead the Eagles' pitching staff. Both pitchers struggled early in the season a year ago, but came on late in the season. McClellan went 3-0 with a 1.17 ERA in her final three starts of the season, while Clark did not give up an earned run in five of her last six outings.