Drury Softball will kick off its 2016 spring season with a noon doubleheader on Sunday against Christian Brothers at Thompson Field.

Coach Chantiel Wilson's Panthers are coming off of a 25-27 campaign last spring, but finished strong, with wins in nine straight before dropping a pair of extra-inning games at Great Lakes Valley Conference power Lewis on the final day of the regular season.

Drury, picked for 11th in the GLVC preseason poll of coaches, returns its top hitter from last season in junior shortstop Kari Hillenburg (.362, 39 runs, 10 stolen bases) and its top pitcher in junior Jessica Kjeldgaard (15-14, 2.28 ERA, 128 Ks).

Christian Brothers University, based in Memphis, lost its season-opening doubleheader at Harding by 9-2 and 12-0 scores on Jan. 30, and played at Evangel late on Saturday.