Bulldogs open 2013 at Tiger Invitational

SOFTBALL GEARS UP FOR 2013 CAMPAIGN AT TIGER INVITATIONAL OVER THE WEEKEND

GameTracker Links: Friday vs. Tennessee St. (11 a.m. ET) | Friday, Feb. 15 at Auburn (4 p.m. ET) | Saturday, Feb. 16 vs. Indiana St. (11 a.m. ET) | Sunday, Feb. 17 vs. Kansas (10 a.m. ET)

Video: Friday, Feb. 15 at Auburn (4 p.m. ET)

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After completing the final season of a mandatory four-year reclassification period in 2012, the Bryant University softball program is eager to take the field for its first year of Division I postseason eligibility in 2013.

The Bulldogs closed 2012 with an overall record of 20-25, finishing 11-9 in Northeast Conference play. The Black and Gold earned quality wins against Lafayette, Saint Peter's, Maryland and Canisius in early season tournaments and huge non-conference victories over Yale, Harvard, Boston University, Brown and Providence. In NEC action, Bryant defeated Mount St. Mary's, Wagner (twice), Robert Morris, Saint Francis U., Monmouth (twice), Sacred Heart (twice) and Fairleigh Dickinson (twice) to notch 11 league wins.

"We are all just so excited to finally have the opportunity to compete for a spot in the postseason," said head coach Lisa-Ann Wallace. "This is what we have worked so hard for."

After losing just three seniors to graduation, the Bulldogs are primed for one of their strongest seasons since joining the Division I ranks.

Leading Bryant into its first season of full-DI competition will be 2012 All-Northeast Conference First Teamers junior Aubrey Mable (Aurora, Colo.) and sophomore Madeline Velasquez (Los Angeles, Calif.). Last season as a freshman, Velasquez led the squad with a .385 batting average (45-117) en route to an All-Northeast Conference First Team selection and the NFCA All-Northeast Region Second Team. Mable followed up her strong freshman campaign with a strong sophomore season, ranking second on the team with a .367 batting average and led the squad with 35 runs scored. The Colorado-native also lead the Bulldogs in home runs (7), RBIs (26), walks (23), slugging (.664) and on-base percentage (.478).

In addition to Mable and Velaquez, junior Lauren Guy (La Habra, Calif.), who finished 2012 with a .292 batting average and five home runs, will be relied on to fill the lead-off spot at the top of the order for the Bulldogs.

On the mound, Bryant will look to a pair of experienced seniors and two talented freshmen to lead them on the hill this year. Seniors Brittany Hart (North Andover, Mass.) and Jennifer Jacob (Deer Park, N.Y.) both registered 145 innings last season, with Hart finishing with a 5.35 ERA en route to a team-best 11-8 record.

Freshman Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) will also be called on to handle some of the pitching duties this season. Madsen, the Gatorade Player of the Year nominee, has all the makings of a dominate power pitcher and will certainly help the Bulldogs on the mound and at the plate this season. Rounding out the Bryant pitching staff will be freshman Katelin Saunders (Laguna Niguel, Calif.), who will add great depth out of the bullpen.

"Our pitching staff has really come together during the offseason," said Wallace. "The seniors have taken the freshmen under their wing, helping with both mechanics and the mental aspect of the college game."

Handling the pitching staff will be junior catcher Kendall Corder (Carmichael, Calif.), who finished last season ranking third on the team with a .293 batting average. In addition to her responsibilities behind the dish, Corder went 22-for-75 at the plate, scoring 20 runs while driving in 18 in 2012.

 "We have a lot of depth on this team," added Wallace. "Which in turn creates competition at multiple positions; as a coach it is very exciting to watch."

The Bulldogs will begin their quest on Friday, Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. EST against Tennessee St. at the Tiger Invitational Tournament in Auburn, Ala. Bryant's schedule over the weekend is as follows:

Friday, Feb. 15 vs. Tennessee St. (11 a.m.)

Friday, Feb. 15 at Auburn (4 p.m.)

Saturday, Feb. 16 vs. Indiana St. (11 a.m.)

Sunday, Feb. 17 vs. Kansas (10 a.m.)

All times Eastern

For links to live stats of all this weekend's games and all the latest news on the Bryant University softball team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.