The Southeastern Regional Invitational softball tournament opens at 10 a.m. Friday and will close at approximately 7 p.m. Sunday.

The three-day event will showcase 16 teams from five states playing 47 games at the Durant Multi-Sports Complex, a great place to watch some great softball.

Coach Ron Faubion’s team went 3-2 in the always-tough St. Mary’s tournament last weekend and will face four regional qualifiers in its six games in the Invitational.

The event will feature five teams from Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas will have four each, along with two from Texas and one from Kansas.

The Storm will play the Lady Blues of Washburn (Kansas) University; the Griffons of Missouri Western State University; the Blue Tigers of Lincoln (Missouri); the Jennies of Central Missouri University; the Rattlers of St. Mary’s (Texas) University and the Rambelles of Angelo State (Texas) University.

Southeastern opens the Invitational against Washburn at 10a.m. Friday and takes on Missouri Western at noon.

Saturday’s games are against Lincoln at 10 a.m. and Angelo State at 2 p.m.

The Storm will meet St. Mary’s at 10 a.m. Sunday and close the Invitational against Central Missouri at noon.

Missouri Western, Angelo State, St. Mary’s and Central Missouri made the regional playoffs last season.

Angelo State is smoking with a 5-0 start in last week’s St. Mary’s tournament. The Rambelles are coached by former Savage baseball star Travis Scott, a Gold Glove third baseman in the NAIA College World Series.

ASU is in the Lone Star Conference, St. Mary’s is a member of the Heartland Conference and the other four SE opponents are in the MIAA.

Southeastern, along with the University of Arkansas-Monticello, Ouachita Baptist, Southern Nazarene, Henderson State and Arkansas Tech, are members of the Great American Conference.

Games will be played at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on all four fields Friday and Saturday.

Game times are the same on Sunday, except only three games will be played on Field 7.

LadyStorm softball fans are invited to come out and enjoy some outstanding softball played by teams not usually seen in this area.

The Multi-Sports Complex has ample parking, restrooms and a concession stand. Bleachers are available and there is room for lawn chairs.

The Southeastern Regional Invitational is a great opportunity for local fans to get involved and show visitors why Durant is a great place to visit or live.