WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- When Midwestern State opens up its 2013 campaign this weekend at the Grand Canyon Invitational, the Mustangs will have a quartet of starters remaining of the team's national semifinalist run two seasons ago.
 
"I'm very excited about our lineup and about this team," MSU coach Brady Tigert said. "I think we're a very good offensive team and I think we've improved from last year. We will be an aggressive, offensive minded team and we'll make some mistakes early, but that's ok."
 
Senior right fielder Courtney Bingham returns after gaining NFCA second-team and Daktronics honorable mention status last season accounting for a school record tying 19 doubles and four home runs with 31 RBIs. The 5-9 Arlington product led the Lone Star Conference with a .437 batting average and was named to the league's first ever Golden Glove squad.
 
"Courtney is hitting the ball well right now," Tigert said. "She needs to get to where she doesn't press and is able to be Courtney at the plate."
 
The Mustangs also return a three-year starter in center fielder Elena Bennett, who earned NFCA and Daktronics second-team All-America status after helping MSU to a World Series appearance in 2011.
 
The 5-8 speedster from Carrollton hit .414 with three doubles and 39 stolen bases during the standout sophomore campaign, but didn't quite reach the same level last season when she was named second-team All-LSC performer hitting .344 with two doubles and 33 stolen bases.
 
"Elena has grown to be more of a leader with our group this year," Tigert said. "She really has the deep desire to win and continues to improve."
 
Junior catcher Kim Jerrick continues to get stronger and has already accounted for 21 home runs and 80 RBIs at the halfway point of her collegiate career and Tigert sees even better days ahead for the 2012 All-LSC first-team performer.
 
"Kim should also be more of a leader this year," he said. "She made strides last year and now it's just a matter of her getting into the groove. She's even stronger this year."
 
Senior Carey Campbell has started 105 games over the past two season at second base giving the Mustangs a bevy of experience in the middle infield.
 
"Carey has been one of our better hitters throughout all of our drills this fall," Tigert said. "We're excited to see that carry over into the season."
 
Senior first baseman Christina Roosmalen came on strong to close the 2012 season finishing with a .307 average with nine doubles, six homers and 32 RBIs while sophomore Kelley Schaefer, who will make the move from shortstop to third base this season, finished her frosh campaign hitting .308 with 10 doubles and four homers.
 
A pair of freshmen in shortstop Shelby Carter and left fielder Haley Howerton are slated to start the season in the starting lineup while classmates Allison Piro, Harley Hooks, Chelsey Wall and Kaitlyn Vinson had plenty of quality young talent to the mix. All will season playing time as true freshmen.
 
Tigert turns to more talented freshmen in the circle this season in a pair of prep standouts in Laci Belovsky (Grangerland, Texas/Caney Creek HS) and Katherine Batey (Plano, Texas/Plano SH).
 
"Laci and Kat are both very talented and capable pitchers," Tigert said. "They just need to gain confidence and learn how to hit their spots. The will be able to grow into their roles and shouldn't feel like they need to carry the team on their backs."
 
The Mustangs open the campaign with three consecutive doubleheaders against Grand Canyon and Western New Mexico on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
 
GCU posted a 36-21 mark last season advancing to the West Region finals, while WNMU finished 2012 with a 16-38 record.
 
Midwestern State missed the NCAA Division II postseason for just the second time in program history last season going 26-25.