BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University softball team will play at home for the first time in 33 days when it hoists Incarnate Word in a Southland Conference doubleheader at 3 p.m. Friday at the LU Softball Complex.
 
The series wraps up with a single game at 1 p.m. Saturday. LU remains home to host Houston in a non-conference doubleheader at 3 p.m. March 30.
 
"I have to admit, it will feel good to finally play a home game again," LU coach Holly Bruder said. "Not playing a home game for more than a month can be a grind."
 
LU (15-11 overall, 3-3 Southland) hasn't played at home since a 6-3 win over Northern Colorado on Feb. 21, the final day of the inaugural Cardinal Classic. LU went 5-0 in that event, its only home games of the season to date. One of those wins was an 8-3 decision over Incarnate Word on Feb. 19.
 
"We are both different teams since then," Bruder said. "Our players can't take Incarnate Word lightly. Every conference game is important."
 
Incarnate Word was 10-17 overall and 2-4 in Southland play heading into Wednesday's non-conference doubleheader at Texas State. UIW opened conference play by taking two of three games from defending regular-season champion Northwestern state before being swept by Southeastern Louisiana in last weekend's conference play, being shut out in all three games.
 
"Our goal is to win the series, and hopefully, we can find a way to sweep it," Bruder said. "But, obviously, Incarnate Word can be tough. They showed that by winning two games against Northwestern State."
 
Sophomore right fielder Brittany Rodriguez leads LU in hitting with a .407 batting average. Rodriguez, who had her school-record hitting streak snapped at 20 games Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader at Abilene Christian, has reached base in 22 straight games, two shy of the school mark set by Stephanie Meeuwsen.
 
"Brittany is our catalyst on offense," Bruder said. "We need her to get on base. She's done that all season for us."
 
Senior center fielder Jenna Holland (.375), sophomore third baseman Sable Hankins (.373), freshman infielder/designated player Kelly Meeuwsen (.333), junior first baseman Ashley McDowell (.329), freshman second baseman Maddy Myers (.308) and junior catcher Brynn Baca (.307) are all hitting above .300 for the Cardinals this season.

As a team, the Cardinals are hitting a conference-best .324, good for 30^th in the nation. LU's on-base percentage of .435 is ranked 14^th in the nation. The Cardinal average 6.31 runs per game, good for 25^th in the nation.
 
"We're getting on base at a good rate. We know we're going to score," Bruder said. "We have to keep that going this weekend."
 
Junior right-hander Ciara Luna (7-2, 2.60) and sophomore righty Laura Napoli (4-5, 3.41) are the likely starters for LU this weekend.
 
Danielle Ramirez leads UIW with a .410 batting average.
 
Bridget Stein (4-4, 4.61) and Sarah Leal (3-5, 3.89) are the likely starters for UIW this weekend.
 
Fans attending the doubleheader can purchase a $40 Friday Family Four Pack, consisting of four tickets, four hot dogs, four drinks and four popcorns for $40. In addition, the first 250 fans will receive a free LU softball stress ball. On Saturday, fans can purchase $1 hot dogs, courtesy of Chartwells. Saturday is also Youth Day, with youth players receiving free admission when they wear their uniform to the contest. There will be a postgame autograph session. Junior Cardinals receive free admission each day when they present their membership badge.
 
For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.