EVANSVILLE, IN – The University of Evansville softball team is heading to Birmingham, Ala., this weekend to take on three teams in the Samford Tournament. The tournament will feature four teams including the Purple Aces, Samford, Eastern Kentucky and Belmont.
 
The tournament will take place from Friday, Feb.14 to Sunday, Feb.16 with the Aces first game being at 3:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon against EKU.
 
Complete Schedule:
02.14 – UE vs Eastern Kentucky – 1:30 p.m. (Live Stats)
02.15 – UE vs Belmont – 11:00 a.m. (Live Stats)
02.15 – UE vs Samford – 1:30 p.m. (Live Stats) (Video)
02.16 – UE vs Eastern Kentucky – 12:00 p.m. (Live Stats)
 
UE, who finished second in the Missouri Valley Conference Championships last season, will look to carry that strong performance over to this season.
 
The Aces come into the season ready to compete behind head coach Mark Redburn, who is entering his fifth season. Evansville will be returning three positional starters, including Kayla Fortner, who was picked to the 2014 MVC Preseason All-Conference Team and defensive stalwart Victoria Dellorto. Joining the two juniors will be senior Kacey Rogers, who started 44 of the team's 53 games last season.
 
The Aces will also feature two returning pitchers in senior Taylor Perry and sophomore Annie Moore, who will look to fill the shoes of graduated senior Sarah Patterson.
 
Scouting the Opponents:
 
Eastern Kentucky (2-3, 0-0 OVC)
Eastern Kentucky enters the tournament with a 2-3 record after opening its season at the Mercer Tournament in Macon, Ga., last weekend. EKU's top performers this season have been Shannon McQueen who comes in with a .308 batting average and pitcher Leanna Pittsenbarger who comes in with a 1-1 record and an ERA of 4.41.
 
Belmont (2-2, 0-0 OVC)
Belmont enters this weekend's tournament with a 2-2 record after opening its season at the 2014 Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn., last weekend. The Bruins top performers this season have been Kirbie Ferrell who comes in with a .500 batting average and two RBI and pitcher Mia Vierra who comes in with a 3.50 ERA and a win-loss record of 1-0.
 
Samford (4-1, 0-0 SoCon)
The host Samford comes into this weekend's tournament with a 4-1 record after opening it's season in the Mercer Tournament in Macon, Ga., last weekend. The Bulldogs top performers entering the tournament will be Callie Brister, who enters the weekend with a .333 batting average and six RBI and a home run and pitcher Mollie Hanson who enters the weekend with a 2.52 ERA and a 2-1 record.
 
Evansville will travel to Southaven, Miss., from Feb. 21 – Feb. 23 next weekend before hosting the Evansville Invitational Mar. 1-2.