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HOUSTON – Houston Baptist will finally step onto the field for the first time in 2013, as the Huskies will compete in the McNeese State Cowgirl Classic Feb. 15-17.

HBU will face Southern on Fri., Feb. 15 at 12 pm, then will play two games on Sat., Feb. 16: vs. first-time opponent Alcorn State at 12 pm, followed by Louisiana Tech at 5 pm. The Huskies conclude the tournament with a 3 pm game against Southern.

HBU (0-0) begins its first season in the Southland Conference after spending the last three with the Great West Conference. After finishing as the tournament runner-up last season and winning it all in 2011, the Huskies are anxious to get this season started. The season looks bright for the Huskies, as they only lost one letterwinner to graduation and are returning all nine starters from a season ago.

Leading the charge is Great West First Team All-Conference, Melissa Herman, who was second on the team with a .294 batting average. Herman led the team with 20 RBI and was second with 42 hits. The top hitter on the team, Michaela Granchelli, also returns. Granchelli's .295 batting average led the Huskies and her 19 doubles were one shy of the team high. The team's power also returns, Kate Maddock, who led the team with four home runs and six doubles.

In the circle, the Huskies welcome three letterwinners, including Second Team All-Conference recipient, Keely Shuler. Shuler led the team with a 1.86 ERA and three shutouts.

Southern (0-5) lost all four games in the season-opening Jimmy John's Lions Classic in Hammond, La., Feb. 8-9. The Jags' latest setback was a 9-3 loss to Nicholls State on Feb. 13.

Carla Arismendi leads Southern on the season with a .250 batting average. Desiree Dawson is second on the team with a .231 average, while having a team-high three hits and the lone double. Three pitchers have appeared in the circle for the Jags, led by Delphia Holmes with a 6.00 ERA.

Alcorn State (0-0) enters the Cowgirl Classic having not played yet this season. The Lady Braves went 8-38 last season. They lost last year's top hitter (Brittanee Crayton; .258) and top pitcher (Tabitha Bonnell, 3.80 ERA).

Louisiana Tech (1-3) last competed in the Jimmy John's Lions Classic in Hammond, La., Feb. 8-9. Two of the games were lost in extra-innings, while the Lady Techsters defeated Nicholls State, 3-0.

Alayna Kipp leads LA Tech with a .400 batting average and is tied with two other players with four hits. Kristen Miles and Janna Frandrump are each second with a .333 average. Michelle Jones leads the pitching staff with a 0.40 ERA, walking four and striking out 11 in 17.2 innings.