BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals will play their biggest series since reviving the softball program in 2013 when they host McNeese for three Southland Conference games this weekend at the LU Softball Complex.
 
The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader at 6 p.m. Friday and a single game at 3 p.m. Saturday. The doubleheader was moved to Friday instead of Saturday due to the threat of inclement weather in the area for much of the weekend.
 
LU (30-16 overall, 16-5 Southland) enters the weekend in third place, a half-game behind Nicholls and two games behind McNeese State (33-11, 18-3) with six conference games remaining. LU closes out the regular season next weekend at Nicholls.
 
"It should be a special weekend," LU coach Holly Bruder said of the McNeese series. "We're still alive for a conference championship, and here's our chance against the first-place team. They are a good team, and we are a good team. We're focusing harder than ever."
 
This is the first time since softball returned to LU, that the Cardinals are hosting the Cowgirls. The Cardinals have been swept in three-game series at McNeese State in each of the past three seasons.
 
"I'm glad we finally have them at our place," Bruder said. "We take pride in playing at home, and we know our fans give us great support. We're just going to take it one game at a time."
 
LU is 15-1 at home this season and 27-6 at the LU Softball Complex since the venue opened last season.
 
LU right fielder Brittany Rodriguez, who leads the Cardinals with a .415 batting average, has 61 hits on the season, equaling the LU single-season mark set by Candyce Carter in 2013. Freshman second baseman Kelly Meeuwsen is hitting .359 with single-season school marks of 20 doubles and 38 RBIs. Meeuwsen is third in the nation in doubles, averaging 0.44 per contest.
 
The Cardinals and Cowgirls are tied for the conference lead in team batting average, as each squad is hitting .307.
 
"They have some great hitters, and we have some great hitters," Bruder said. "They have quality pitching, and we have quality pitching. We knew at the start of the season this would be our toughest conference series."
 
McNeese's offense is led by catcher Erika Piancastelli, who is hitting .409 overall and .513 in conference play. Piancastelli has 20 home runs on the season. Marisa Taunton is hitting .364 for the Cowgirls.
 
Ciara Luna (15-4, 2.09) leads the LU pitching staff. The junior right-hander is 10-0 with a 1.26 ERA against Southland Conference opponents. Lauren Dannelley (4-3, 2.68) is 2-0 with two saves and a 0.43 in SLC contests. The Cardinals have a 2.82 team ERA overall and a 2.09 ERA in the conference.
 
McNeese counters with Jamie Allred (12-2, 1.65) and Emily Vincent (12-3, 1.76). The Cowgirls have a 1.54 ERA in Southland games.
 
Both teams have already clinched a spot in next month's Southland Conference Tournament that will be hosted by McNeese State.
 
"That pressure of having to win to get into the tournament is off of us. Maybe we'll be a little more relaxed," Bruder said. "We can just focus on doing what we have to do and not worrying about how other teams are doing."
 
Friday is Dollar Dog Day, with $1 hot dogs courtesy of Chartwells. It is also Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day as the LU softball players will recognize those who have helped them as student-athletes during their time at LU. Fans will receive free T-shirts courtesy of 5 Point Credit Union while supplies last.
 
For ticket information, please call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.