MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin softball team is back in action this weekend, kicking off its 2019 season at the Lonestar Collegiate Classic in Houston, Texas. Friday the Badgers face Omaha at 9 a.m. and Lamar at 11:30 a.m. Saturday starts with a second game against Omaha at 4:30 p.m. before concluding with a contest against Texas Tech. UW will wrap up its first tournament of the year on Sunday in an 11 a.m. game against Lamar.
 
1. READY TO RUMBLE: After 265 days since playing its last games of 2018, Wisconsin is eager to fly south and begin its 2019 season slate. This year's schedule includes five tournaments, 12 home games and the Big Ten Tournament in Bloomington, Indiana.
 
2. RECEIVING VOTES: The Badgers enter their new season receiving votes in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll. Wisconsin is one of five teams from the Big Ten to be recognized in the preseason rankings.
 
3. FRESH FACES: Six newcomers will get their first chances to represent the Cardinal and White this weekend, including five freshmen and one transfer. Junior pitcher Caroline Hedgcock is entering her first season with the Badgers after two seasons at Arkansas, while Jolie Fish, Ally Miklesh, Savanna Rainey, Maddie Schwartz and Tyra Turner ready to make their collegiate debuts. 
 
4. 2018 RECAP: In 2018 the Badgers made their second-straight NCAA tournament appearance and finished the season with a 29-23 record. UW placed seventh in the Big Ten, going 11-9 in conference play. The 2018 squad made program history when it earned its first-ever series sweep against Nebraska, outscoring them 28-7 on the weekend.
 
5. SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS: OMAHA- The Mavericks finished the 2018 season fourth in the Summit League with a 20-31 overall record. Junior Emma Dargy is one of Omaha's top returners, playing in all 51 games last season with 20 runs, 33 hits, seven homers and a team-best 22 walks.
 
LAMAR- The Lamar Cardinals were .500 (28-28) during the 2018 season. A member of the Southland Conference, the Cardinals were ninth in their conference after going 11-16. Lamar returns senior Kelly Meeuwsen, a lefty-batting second baseman. Last season she collected 34 runs off 55 hits, including a team-high seven triples. She was also second on her team with 32 RBI.   
 
TEXAS TECH- The Red Raiders are coming into the 2019 season after finishing fifth in a loaded Big 12 Conference last year. TTU finished 2018 31-28 overall with two ranked wins, including one against No. 3 Baylor in the conference tournament. Texas Tech's player to watch for is senior All-American Jessica Hartwell, who was recently named to USA Softball's Top 50 Watch List. During her junior campaign, Hartwell batted .400 with 63 runs, 66 hits, 20 home runs, 61 RBI and 22 walks.