BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University softball team competes in another tough tournament this weekend as it heads to the UTSA Tournament in San Antonio.
 
The Cardinals (1-2) are slated to play four games in two days. LU takes on Missouri State (2-2) at 11:30 a.m. Friday before meeting the host Roadrunners (2-1) at 4:30 p.m. Friday. LU has two games on Saturday, squaring off against Prairie View A&M (0-0) at 9 a.m. and Kansas (4-1) at 4:30 p.m.
 
The Cardinals return to Beaumont immediately following the Kansas game to get ready for their home-opening doubleheader against fourth-ranked Washington at 2 p.m. Monday.
 
"We played some very good teams last week in Virginia Tech, Ole Miss and Alabama," LU coach Holly Bruder said. "We're not afraid to face the good teams; that's what helps make us better."
 
Offensively, the Cardinals are led by Shelby Hughston, who hit .400 last weekend, Maddy Myers, who batted .333 with three RBIs, and Paige Holmes, who hit .300 with one home run and four RBIs.
 
"Shelby, Maddy and Paige all had good weekends, but we need some of our other hitters to step up," Bruder said. "We have some other players we are really counting on this season."
 
Senior right-hander Laura Napoli (0-1, 2.84) is expected to get two starts this weekend. Napoli, who threw a team-leading 12.1 innings last weekend, started and took the loss in LU's 4-2 extra-inning loss to Ole Miss.
 
"Laura pitched well against Ole Miss," Bruder said. "She steps it up against the tougher competition. We're going to need that again this weekend."
 
UP NEXT: Monday's doubleheader against Washington marks the first time the Cardinals have ever faced the Huskies. The Huskies will be the highest-ranked team to ever play at LU.
 
"We're excited to have a team of Washington's caliber come here," Bruder said. "We're proud of our facility, and we love to show it off."
 
PROMOTIONS: Fans attending Monday's doubleheader will receive a free LU softball schedule T-shirt while supplies last. There will be a cornhole tournament between games.
 
TICKETS: For individual-game and season tickets, please call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE. The Montagne Center ticket office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The ticket window at the LU Softball Complex will open one hour prior to first pitch on game days. LU students receive free admission to home games with their Cardinal One card, while Junior Cardinal Club members are admitted for free when they present their membership badge.