EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Softball begins the 2022 season this weekend when it competes in the University of Alabama Huntsville Charger Chillout at Sand Mountain Park in Albertville, Alabama.
 
The Screaming Eagles begin the six-game, three-day weekend Friday at noon when they take on Delta State University. USI plays Carson-Newman University Friday at 2:30 p.m. before taking on No. 22 Alabama-Huntsville Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
USI closes the opening weekend with games against Christian Brothers University Saturday at 3:30 p.m., Mississippi College Sunday at 10 a.m. and Shorter University Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
 
Live stat links, when they become available, can be accessed at GoUSIEagles.com.
 
Notes
• USI picked to finish 7th in GLVC. The Eagles were picked to finish seventh in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll despite receiving a first-place vote.
 
• Eagles in 2021. USI overcame injuries to go 16-21 overall and 13-15 in GLVC play.
 
• What's back. The Eagles bring back 14 players, eight position starters and their entire pitching staff from last year's team. That list includes All-American outfielder Mackenzie Bendrick (Brownsburg, Indiana), who led the GLVC in batting average (.434), hits per game (1.43), runs scored per game (1.05), stolen bases (29) and stolen bases per game (0.78).
 
• Goodin continues strong play. Junior pitcher/first baseman Allie Goodin (Evansville, Indiana) continues to be strong at the plate and inside the circle. Goodin, who arguably was the toughest injury for the Eagles to overcome a year ago, finished the year with a .333 batting average, 10 doubles, a triple, three home runs and 20 RBI. She went 8-8 in the circle with a 2.58 ERA, 83 strikeouts and .228 opponent batting average. She was eighth in the GLVC in opponent batting average and 10th in strikeouts per game (6.90).
 
• Other top returners. The Eagles also bring back senior pitcher/first baseman Katie Back (Indianapolis, Indiana) as well as junior infielders Rachel Martinez (Chicago, Illinois) and Jordan Rager (Fishers, Indiana). Back hit .306 with four home runs and 13 RBI a year ago, while Martinez hit .308 with four doubles, a triple, two home runs and 16 RBI. Rager finished 2021 with a .268 batting average, nine doubles, two triples, a home run and 21 RBI.
 
• Double-trouble. USI Softball was one of the top teams in the GLVC in terms of hitting doubles a year ago. Their 56 doubles ranked third in the league, while their 1.51 doubles per game ranked second in the league.
 
• Road warriors. USI Softball is scheduled to play 28 games before opening its home schedule March 19 against the University of Illinois Springfield. The Eagles will be in the Nashville, Tennessee, area for the Music City Invitational February 18-20 and are scheduled to play in the Blue Bridge Battle in Owensboro, Kentucky, February 25-27.
 
USI plays eight games at The Spring Games in Winter Haven, Florida, before opening GLVC play March 11 at defending GLVC champion University of Indianapolis.