BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University softball team opens a busy week when it travels to Houston for a non-conference game at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The Cardinals then host UT Arlington in a non-conference game at 2 p.m. Wednesday before welcoming in McNeese State for a crucial three-game Southland Conference series this weekend.
 
"This is an important week for us," LU coach Holly Bruder said. "We wrap up our non-conference games for the season and then we have McNeese State coming in for a huge series. This week will test us."
 
The Cardinals (29-16 overall, 16-5 Southland) enter the week in third place in the Southland Conference, a half-game behind second-place Nicholls and two games behind front-running McNeese State with six conference games remaining. LU closes out conference play next weekend at Nicholls.
 
"We reached our first goal of qualifying for the conference tournament," Bruder said. "Our next goals were to get a first-round bye in the tournament and to win the regular-season championship. We still control our destiny as far as those goals are concerned."
 
LU freshman Kelly Meeuwsen, who had four doubles over the weekend as the Cardinals took two of three games at Central Arkansas, ranks second in the nation in two-baggers, averaging 0.45 per game. Meeuwsen had three RBIs against the Bears to give her a school-record 37 RBIs this season.
 
"Kelly has been hitting the ball so well recently," Bruder said. "She's really fit right in to the leadoff spot."
 
Brittany Rodriguez leads LU in hitting with a .417 average. Meeuwsen (.352), Brynn Baca (.333), Ashley McDowell (.320), Sable Hankins (.319) and Jenna Holland (.317) are all hitting better than .300 for the Cardinals.
 
Tuesday's game will be the second meeting of the season between LU and Texas Southern (24-14). The Cardinals were 7-3 winners over the Tigers at the Cardinal Classic back in February.
 
UT Arlington (28-14) boasts one of the nation's leading hitters in Sandra Mendoza, who is batting .471 on the season.
 
Wednesday's game is Dollar Dog Day, with $1 hot dogs courtesy of Chartwells. The Kona Ice truck will be on hand to sell shaved ice, with the first 100 fans receiving a free order.
 
For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.