HENDERSON, Tenn. - Coming off the most successful season in school history, the Freed-Hardeman Lady Lion softball team looks to continue to build on that success as the 2014 season opens on Valentine's Day weekend.

Last year, FHU went 32-9 and won the program's first-ever conference championship which was also the final conference championship awarded in the history of the now-defunct TranSouth Conference. The Lady Lions made their first trip to the NAIA National Tournament and finished the season ranked No. 17 in the NAIA. This year, Freed-Hardeman topped that ranking as it came in at No. 14 in the preseason coaches poll.

There were some key losses from that squad, but plenty of talent returns to the field in 2014 including second-team NAIA All-American Sarah Elizabeth Cousar. Cousar set the program's single-season and career wins record in the circle, going 27-5 last year with a 1.33 ERA. She enters her senior year with a career record of 63-22 and a 2.03 ERA. Cousar will also be one of the key pieces of the Lady Lion offense, most likely moving into the third spot in the order after hitting leadoff last year. In 2013, she hit .355 with five home runs and 21 RBIs. A career .323 hitter, she needs 54 hits to become the second player in program history to reach 200 for her career.

Joining Cousar in the senior class are Natalie Nelson and Bailey Morgan, both of whom have been regular starters since their freshman seasons. Nelson is coming off a career-high .283 batting average last season, and looks to build on that in her senior season where her offensive production will be important. Morgan has pop at the plate (30 percent of her career hits have gone for extra bases) and is very tough to steal bases against when she is behind the plate. Last year, she cut down 40 percent of would-be base-stealers.

Sophomore Allie Carpenter and junior Kohlney Wade return in the outfield after starting a combined 77 games last year. Wade, a transfer from Union (Tenn.) University, hit .294 in her first season as a Lady Lion and made several stellar defensive plays in right field. Carpenter showed some power as a freshman and finished the year strong by going 5-for-10 at the NAIA National Tournament. Both are good candidates to see improved numbers in 2014.

Local players Kamara Trice and Jessica Weeks are likely to see expanded roles this season as well. Trice, a junior, fought through injuries that limited her time last season but has the potential to be one of the top power hitters in program history. Trice hit five home runs in 99 AB as a freshman and has power to all fields. Weeks, a sophomore, should see more time behind the plate this year with the graduation of Amber Vansandt. A very smart player, Weeks posted an OBP of .375 last season in 16 plate appearances. Her ability to get on base will likely be a vital piece of the team's offense this year.

Lauren Bradley, Rachael Dodd, Allie Moss and Katie Sholl also return for the Lady Lions. Bradley played in 25 games last year and her slapping ability will be a needed addition to the lineup this year. The other three saw limited time in 2013 but all will have the chance to increase their playing time this season.

Two freshmen, Katie Clarke and Taylor Hill, will vie for time in the circle behind Cousar. Both had outstanding high school careers and the added depth to the rotation should help to keep Cousar fresh when tournament time comes. JUCO transfer Bo Sullivan is likely to be a starter in the middle infield and freshmen Amanda Bond, Haley Craig and Jenna Graham will all compete for time in the FHU lineup.

The Lady Lions will be tested immediately as they open the season against No. 11 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) at the Martin Methodist Meltdown. The home opener is on March 3 against NCAA Division II Shorter (Ga.) University, a former NAIA powerhouse, and the Lady Lions play their first game in the American Midwest Conference on March 14 at Missouri Baptist.