AUSTIN, Texas – The Concordia University Texas softball team will open its 16th season of competition on Friday, as it travels to Ozarks for a quartet of contests. The two squads will begin the 2014 campaign with an American Southwest Conference (ASC) doubleheader at 2 p.m. Friday, followed by a doubleheader at 12 p.m. the following day. However, only the first game on Saturday will count as a league tilt. The final game of the set will count as a non-conference contest.

The Tornados, who were picked to finish seventh in the ASC Preseason Coaches Poll, enter the new season under the leadership of first-year head coach Rachel Reekstin. Concordia welcomes back seven letter winners and four starters from last year's squad that posted a 25-15 overall mark (14-10 ASC) and finished fourth in the ASC West Division.

Among the returners are Katie Carrizales and Jessica Parish, both of whom were All-ASC West Division selections last season. Carrizales captured second-team honors after hitting .337 with five doubles, a triple, a homer and 14 RBIs, while Parish was named honorable mention after leading the squad with a .378 batting average, eight doubles, four home runs and 34 RBIs.

The Lady Eagles, who also play their season opener on Friday, registered a 14-26 overall record, including a a 4-20 finish in league action, a year ago. The team is lead by fourth-year head coach Laurie Adkins.

The two squads have met eight times previously, with Ozarks holding a 6-2 advantage in the all-time series. However, Concordia has won two of the last three matchups. The Lady Eagles posted a 5-0 victory over the Tornados in the last meeting, which took place on March 3, 2012, in Farmers Branch, Texas. The two teams are playing a series for the first time, and meeting outside of a neutral venue for the first time, as well.

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	Games #1-4 Concordia Texas Tornados (0-0) at Ozarks Lady Eagles (0-0)
2013 statistics Roster Schedule	Friday, Feb. 14 – 2/4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 – 12/2 p.m. Hurie Softball Field Clarksville, Ark. Coverage n/a Series History Ozarks leads, 6-2 Last Meeting Ozarks 5, Concordia Texas 0 (March 3, 2012  •  Farmers Branch, Texas)	Website 2013 statistics Roster Schedule