PEORIA, Ill. ? The Bradley softball team will open the 2009 season this weekend as the Braves host the 2009 Country Inn & Suites Invitational Saturday and Sunday at the Dragon's Dome in Pekin, Ill. Joining Bradley in the field are NCAA Tournament participants Western Illinois and Wright State along with Iowa State and IUPUI.

First-year head coach Amy Hayes and the Braves return 14 of 20 letterwinners, including six starters and three pitchers from last year's team which finished 12-27 overall last season. Bradley returns six of its top seven hitters from last year, including junior Amanda Clack (Hillsboro, Mo./Hillsboro) who led the Braves in runs, hits, doubles, RBI, slugging percentage and tied the school record for home runs in a season with eight. Senior pitcher Ashley Birdsong (Otis, Ore/Taft) was a preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference selection and enters her final year on The Hilltop needing 65 strikeouts to break the Braves career mark of 702 strikeouts held by Beth Hawkins.

Bradley will open the season Saturday with a 10 a.m. game against IUPUI and face Wright State at noon to open tournament play. Wright State is picked third in the Horizon League after winning the Horizon League Tournament and finishing the 2008 season with a 33-26 record.

Bradley plays the third game of the day on Sunday against Big 12 Conference foe Iowa State at 2 p.m. The Braves wrap up tournament action Sunday at 6 p.m. against in-state rival Western Illinois. Picked second in the preseason Summit League coaches' poll, the Westerwinds won the Summit League tournament last season to advance to the NCAA Tournament.

Bradley opens the season at home for the third time in the last four years and boasts an 11-1 all-time record in games played at the Dragon's Dome. Bradley has hosted three previous tournaments in the facility, claiming the tournament title in each. The Braves have averaged 4.9 runs per game in 12 games at the Dragon's Dome and have outscored their opponents 59-19.

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children per day or fans can purchase a tournament pass for $10 for adults and $5 for children. For directions to the Dragon's Dome and a complete tournament schedule please visit

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