EVANSVILLE, Ind.---The 24th-ranked University of Southern Indiana softball team begins its 2016 campaign by hosting Ohio Dominican University for a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m. at the USI Softball Field. The Screaming Eagles wrap up the season-opening homestand on Tuesday when USI hosts Trevecca Nazarene University for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.

Eagles In The Polls
USI is ranked 24^th in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Softball Coaches Preseason Poll. The Eagles received 65 points in the preseason poll and are one of three teams from the Great Lakes Valley Conference ranked in the poll. Along with the national preseason ranking, USI was picked to finish fifth in the GLVC Preseason Coaches Poll.

Milestone Win Ahead
Head coach Sue Kunkle enters her 15th season just nine victories away from 400 for her career. Kunkle, the all-time wins leader in program history, has a career record of 391-303-1 (.563) with the Eagles.

Past and Present
The Eagles, who made it all the way to the Midwest Region #1 Championship Game last season with a record of 39-11, are entering their 15th season under the direction of Head Coach Sue Kunkle.
 
USI returns starters at seven defensive positions, including junior outfielder Grace Clark, the leading returning hitter with a .368 batting average in 2015 to go along with six home runs and 30 RBIs. Joining Clark in the outfield are sophomores Olivia Clark-Kittleson and Shelby Tate as well as senior Janna Green. Clark-Kittleson made a name for herself in her freshman season, hitting .318 for the Eagles and swiping six bases. Green battled her way to a .298 batting average despite being hampered by an injury late in the season; while Tate hit .287 with seven RBIs and 22 runs scored.
 
The Eagles' infield features returning starters in senior Toni Braun, juniors Lexi Reese and Haley Hodges, and sophomore Sadie Foster. Other returners for USI include junior Alisha Ludwig and sophomores Alex Logan and Marleah Fossett.
 
In the circle, USI returns just one starter from 2015 in senior pitcher Sarah Owens. Owens posted career-highs in wins (11) and ERA (2.64) during the 2015 campaign.
 
Scouting Ohio Dominican
The Panthers enter the 2016 season after amassing a 12-36 record in 2015. Ohio Dominican was selected to finish 10^th in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. USI and the Panthers have met three times with the Eagles winning all three matchups. The last matchup came on February 24, 2013 and provided plenty of excitement. The Eagles captured a 7-3 victory in eight innings in the contest, winning the game on a walk-off grand slam by Kelsey Jankowski.

Scouting Trevecca Nazarene
The Trojans enter their matchup with USI having already played eight games. Trevecca has amassed a 5-1 record to open the season, including wins over GLVC foes Bellarmine University and McKendree University. Before facing the Eagles, the Trojans host Lincoln Memorial University for a doubleheader on Wednesday. Trevecca experienced great success during the 2015 season, as the Trojans compiled a 40-10 record and advanced to the NCAA Midwest Region #2 Championship game before falling to Indianapolis. Tuesday's matchup at USI Softball Field will pit the runners-up from both Midwest regionals. The Trojans received votes in the NFCA Top 25 Softball Coaches Preseason Poll and were selected to win the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. The meeting between USI and Trevecca will mark the first meeting between the two programs.