RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The Arkansas Tech Golden Suns softball team will return to the diamond this weekend, playing in four games at the 2018 Southeastern Regional Invitational hosted by Southeastern Oklahoma State University. 

All-tournament passes are available for $25, with general admission day passes sold at $10. A day pass for students (with valid ID) and seniors (60+) is available for $5. Tournament information, including maps to the Durant Multi-Sports Complex, is available HERE. Live video and statistics are available at www.arkansastechsports.com. 

First up for the Golden Suns will be a 9:30 a.m. matchup on Friday, Feb. 2, followed by a 2:30 matchup with Cameron later that day. Tech will close play at the event on Saturday with a pair of games, opening with Central Missouri at 9:30 a.m. and closing with Oklahoma Christian at 2:30 p.m. 

Despite returning 10 letterwinners from the 2017 squad, the 2018 Golden Suns are without a doubt a new-look team. The departures of two-time All-America selection and two-time GAC Pitcher of the Year Jalissa Gum and three-time all-Great American Conference pick Morgan Vaughan from the pitcher's circle creates an opportunity for a talented cast of newcomers to step in and throw meaningful innings this season. Returners Cara Tolar (5-6, 2.01 ERA) and Bailey Shaffer (3-1, 2.43 ERA) were solid for the Golden Suns last season, and after spending the 2017 season exclusively on offense, junior Megan Goodnight may see some action after going 1-0 her freshman year.

Newcomer Kristen Dempsey spent her previous two seasons at Crowder College, last year posting a 12-12 mark with a 2.36 ERA and nine saves., fanning 53 in 80 innings.

Offensively, the Golden Suns bring back the bulk of the 2017 squad. Goodnight earned all-GAC honors for her stellar play last year, hitting .333 with eight homers and 38 RBIs. Senior Janie Knowles hit .298 with six homers and 22 RBIs, while fellow senior Alix Boulanger provided a strong defensive presence for the Golden Suns. 

Junior Sydnie Henson saw her season shortened by injury, but made the most of her time on the field, hitting .357 at the top of the Golden Suns order. Fellow junior Gaby Vasquez proved to be one of the tougher outs on the Golden Suns team, using her phenomenal eye to draw a team-high 21 walks and lead the team with a .387 on-base percentage. Shortstop Sarah Coronado has been one of the steadiest middle infielders in the GAC over her first two campaigns and looks to regain the offensive form from her freshman season where she hit .315 and drove in 23 runs. 

Sophomore Ashton Sangster proved to be a threat at the plate and on the bases, leading Tech with 15 stolen bases, while Ashley Landry hit .270 in limited offensive duty after spending the majority of the season as a defensive specialist.