ARKADELPHIA, Ark. --- The Mississippi College softball team will open the 2015 season this weekend as they travel to play in the Ronnie Hawkins Invitational, hosted by Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University.

The Lady Choctaws open the tournament on Saturday with games against Missouri Western State (1:00 pm) and Arkansas-Monticello (4:00 pm). They will close things out on Sunday with games against Linoln (9:00 am) and Missouri Southern State (11:00 am).

MC brings back a large portion of a team that finished 34-14 in 2014 and advanced to the National Christian College Athletic Association tournament in Botetourt County, Va. They picked up victories over Trinty Christian and Cedarville before being eliminated by fellow GSC member, Union.

Senior Brooke Smitherman (Prattville, Ala.) returns to lead the offense after earning her second All-American selection in 2014. She hit .468 with 20 doubles, nine home runs, 51 walks and 39 RBI.

Also returning is senior Macey Lee, who his .378 with 13 doubles, seven triples and a team-high 42 RBI. The Pearl native also stole 19 bases in 22 attempts and scored 40 runs.

Returning at the top of the lineup is senior Shay Mickens, who set an MC single-season record wtith 44 stolen bases in 2014. She also scored 45 runs while hitting .370 on the season.

Senior Lacie Patterson returns in the circle for MC after going 16-4 with a 1.48 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 137.1 innings pitched. Seniors Ashley Vann (5-3, 2.86 ERA) and Elissa Kelly (10-6, 3.12 ERA) also return as pitchers for the Lady Choctaws.

Following this weekend's tournament, MC will play their first home games on Thursday (Feb. 12) against William Carey. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm at the MC Softball Complex.