April 15, 2014

Lamar's Game Notes

BEAUMONT, Texas - The Lamar Lady Cardinals open up their longest homestand of the season when they host the University of Houston in a non-conference doubleheader at 3 p.m. Wednesday for the first two of seven straight games at Ford Park.

Following Wednesday's twin bill, the Lady Cardinals host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in a three-game Southland Conference series on Friday and Saturday before closing home the homestand and the 2014 home schedule with a non-conference doubleheader against Louisiana-Monroe on April 23.

Lamar is 10-1 at home this season, but faces a tough task against Houston (26-12). The Cougars are 11-1 in the American Athletic Conference and have received votes in the national polls.

"Houston is a very good team," Lamar coach Holly Bruder said. "I'm excited that a team of this caliber is coming to Ford Park."

The Cougars are led by Katie St. Pierre, who has a .407 batting average and a .511 on-base percentage. Haley Outon has team-leading totals of 11 home runs and 39 RBIs for Houston. As a team, the Cougars are hitting .300.

Right-hander Diedre Outon (12-5, 2.41) leads the Cougars' pitching staff. She is complemented by left-hander Julana Shrum (9-4, 3.51) and righty Summer Groholski (5-3, 3.16).

Lamar, which has won seven of its last eight games, is led by Beverly Corry's .354 batting average. The Lady Cardinals, who are hitting .302 as a team, will likely start seven players with a batting average of better than .300.

Tina Schulz leads Lamar with 28 RBIs, while Corry and Schulz are tied for the team lead with seven home runs. Center fielder Candyce Carter needs four hits to become just the second player in Lamar history to reach the 100-hit plateau. Donna Dugas, who played from 1984 through 1987, holds the school record with 151 hits.

The twin bill is Student Appreciation Day, with all Lamar students in attendance receiving free LU titanium wristbands.

The Lady Cardinals, who are in second place in the Southland Conference host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi for two games starting at 4 p.m. Friday, and a single game at 2 p.m. Saturday. Saturday is the first-ever Senior Day since Lamar reinstated softball last season.

For ticket information, call (409) 880-1715, or visit www.LamarCardinals.com. Tickets will be sold at Ford Park on a cash-only basis one hour prior to first pitch.

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