Austin, Texas – The Concordia University Texas softball team begins its 2011 season when it visits Trinity on Sunday, Feb. 13 for a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Concordia, which was predicted to finish third in the American Southwest Conference West Division, is ushering in a new era as Denise Lira takes over as head coach. Lira comes to the program after being a big part of Mary Hardin-Baylor's success over the last eight seasons as a student-athlete and assistant coach. During her time in Belton, the Cru advanced to seven ASC Tournaments, earned one NCAA bid and won three West Division titles.

Lira takes over a program that brings back eight letterwinners, including a league-best seven players who earned ASC postseason recognition, from a team which finished 24-16 overall and 18-6 in the West Division in 2010. Junior left fielder Lauren Vansickle is the top returner, garnering National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Third Team All-Region and All-ASC First Team laurels a year ago. She led the Tornados with a .387 batting average and also ranked first on the team in runs scored (32), hits (46), doubles (19), triples (3), slugging percentage (.605) and on-base percentage (.483). Senior shortstop Jessica Rattan joined Vansickle on the all-conference first team after registering a .307 batting average with 12 doubles and four home runs. Junior second baseman Candace Velasquez, sophomore third baseman Erin Duhon and senior center fielder Vicky Recek are returning all-conference second team selections, while sophomore first baseman Meghan Ferrell and classmate Kat Moreno, a pitcher, were honorably mentioned for All-ASC recognition one year ago.

Trinity, which opens its season with a home doubleheader against Howard Payne on Saturday, brings back eight letterwinners from last year's team which finished 16-22 overall. Junior outfielder Karen MacPherson, who earned All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference honors last season, is the team's top returner. She led the Tigers with a .339 batting average and added 42 hits, 10 RBI and 38 runs scored. MacPherson, the school's record holder for stolen bases, had 29 thefts in 31 attempts last year. Pitcher Sydney Friday is one of four returning players who were honorably mentioned for All-SCAC honors last season after sporting a 3.12 ERA with 99 strikeouts in 103.1 innings of work. Junior outfielder Rachel Garrett, sophomore catcher Ana Garcia and sophomore first baseman Megan Russell also earned all-conference honorable mention laurels in 2010.