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MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State softball team begins its 2014 campaign Friday at the Plainsman Invite, hosted by Southeastern Conference member Auburn. Louisiana-Monroe (ULM), North Dakota State, Notre Dame and Ohio Valley Conference foe Tennessee Tech will also participate. All games will be played at Jane B. Moore Field.
Live stats and live video links are available via MSUEagles.com. In-game twitter updates will be available by following @MSUAthletics or @MoreheadStateSB.
THE SLATE
Friday, Feb. 7
MSU vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 2 p.m. ET | MSU vs. North Dakota State, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 8
MSU vs. Auburn, 4:30 p.m. | MSU vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday. Feb. 9
MSU vs. Notre Dame, 10 a.m.
THE OPPONENTS
MSU's first four opponents finished a combined 125-89 in 2013. ULM returns seven starters from a team that finished 19-35 in 2013. Summit League preseason favorite North Dakota State returns 13 players from last season's team that went 33-16. Auburn begins a stretch of 15 straight home contests under first-year Head Coach and former Arizona State skipper Clint Myers. The Tigers were 30-23 in 2013. MSU wraps up the weekend with Notre Dame, who finished 43-15 in its last season as a member of the Big East, while advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
EAGLE NOTES
Just Missed
MSU narrowly missed its first winning season since 2010, as it finished the 2013 season with a 24-25 overall record. The Eagles finished 10-14 in Ohio Valley Conference play.
Back in the Chase
The Eagles advanced to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for the first time since 2010. Eastern Illinois defeated the Eagles 3-2 in the opener, and UT Martin used a four run first inning and held on for a 5-2 win in the elimination game.
The Bats are Back
Morehead State returns two of its top five hitters. Junior
Katie Raile led MSU with a .369 batting average.
Senior Stephanie Etter, who was named Preseason Second-Team All-Conference by College Sports Madness, finished fifth on the team with a .317 batting average.
Crafty Veterans
Seniors
Kelcey McMurray and
Greta Smeins return in the circle. McMurray finished her junior campaign with a 5-9 mark with a 3.52 ERA, while Smeins was 4-2 with a 5.08 ERA in 17 appearances.
We Can Hit
The Eagles finished the 2013 season in the top five in the OVC in nearly every offensive category. MSU led the league in batting average (.326) and sacrifice flies (15). The Eagles finished second in slugging percentage (.436) and on-base percentage (.374). The .326 batting average was 26th best in NCAA Division I.
Preseason Picks
MSU was picked to finish fourth in the OVC East Division in a poll of the league's coaches and sports information directors. The Eagles finished fourth in the division with a 10-14 mark last season. Jacksonville State was selected to win the east, while SIU Edwardsville was picked to take the west.
