MACON, Ga. - The IUPUI softball team will kick off the 2013 season this weekend when it travels to Macon, Ga., for the Mercer Invitational. 
               
The tournament will include five games over a three-day span with the Jaguars taking on Alabama St. for two games and tournament-host Mercer for three. IUPUI will compete against both teams for the first time in school history.
               
IUPUI takes the field against Alabama St. on Feb. 8 at 1:15 p.m. ET, and immediately following the Jags will go for the two-game sweep against Mercer at 3:30 p.m. ET. On Saturday, Feb. 9, IUPUI begins the action again against Mercer at 2:15 p.m. ET and Alabama St. at 4:30 p.m. ET. The tournament will conclude on Sunday, Feb. 10, with another meeting between IUPUI and Mercer at 12 p.m. ET.
               
"I think we are prepared and ready," head coach Amanda Rivera said. "It's going to be fun to see all the work we've done in the last six months go into play and see the kids in that competition mode. It's a good test for us to start preparing for the Summit League. " 

The Jags look to open the season a perfect 5-0 after finishing 18-32 last season, never winning more than two in a row. 
               
"We're excited to get out there and get some wins under our belt," Coach Rivera said. "It's always nice to get that first game out of the way."
               
On a downward finish in conference the last two years - 6th  in 2011 and 7th last season – the Jags hope to improve its Summit League standing. Of the 13 returners, nine are upperclassmen who have gained valuable experience to lead the team's six freshman. 

Losing its top two hitters in Nicole Checkie and Ashley Seering, Coach Rivera looks to Alicia Brewer, Lindsey Richards and Jessica Lam to lead the team's offense. All three bring power to the lineup. Brewer hit a team-high nine homers and drove in 30 runs as a freshman in 2011. 

The Jags two leading pitchers in appearances, Jocelyn Oppenhuis (6-13) and Nikki Thomas (8-15), both return to the circle. Oppenhuis led the pitching staff in strikeouts with 107 and Thomas in saves with two. Thomas also whiffed 100 batters and both finished with an ERA better than 3.00. Freshman newcomer Cassie Vodde will add support to the staff. 

Coach Rivera opens her first season as head coach for the Jaguars led by seniors Kelsey Rupert and Nicole Natter who hope to return the team to the conference tournament for the first time since the 2005 season. Rivera took over the IUPUI program in June 2012 after most recently serving on the Northwestern softball coaching staff last season.