BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University softball team plays host to the third annual Cardinal Classic this weekend as the Cardinals welcome Alabama A&M, Binghamton and Loyola Chicago to the LU Softball Complex for the three-day, 10-game event.
 
"We love being able to host an early-season tournament," LU coach Holly Bruder said. "We believe we have one of the best facilities in the Southland Conference, and we love to show it off. It's also great to be able to be at home one weekend instead of having to travel."
 
The Cardinals (3-6) have played a grueling schedule in the early portion of this season. LU has played four games against top-20 opponents, including Monday's doubleheader loss at home to the Washington Huskies, who are now ranked No. 1 in the country. LU also has losses to Alabama and Ole Miss, but also has a run-rule win over Kansas under its belt.
 
"I'm not afraid to play anybody," Bruder said. "These tough games are going to make us better."
 
This week's tournament features four games on Friday and Saturday beginning at 9:3 a.m. each day, along with two games on Sunday, with the first contest scheduled to start at 9 a.m.
 
Savana Guidry leads LU with a .414 batting average, and enters the tournament on a six-game hitting streak. Maddy Myers is batting .389, while Kelly Meeuwsen is batting .310 with a team-leading three home runs. Shelby Henderson, who tied a school record with seven RBIs in LU's 13-4 win over Kansas, has a team-best eight RBIs for the season.
 
With the Cardinals playing five games in a three-day span, Bruder will likely get a look at her entire pitching staff. Right-hander Laura Napoli (1-3, 4.46) leads the Cardinals in ERA. Right-hander Taylor Gruell (0-0, 4.80), who threw 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief vs. UTSA and allowed two runs over five innings of relief against Washington, will likely see plenty of action, as will righty Amie Cisneros (2-2), who has a one-hit shutout win over Prairie View A&M to her credit this season.
 
Fans attending LU's games on Friday will receive a free LU softball T-shirt courtesy of FivePoint Credit Union, while supplies last. LU's games will be streamed on Facebook Live.
 
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.
 
Schedule (All Times Central)
Friday, Feb. 23
Alabama A&M vs. Binghamton, 9:30 a.m.
Alabama A&M vs. Loyola Chicago, noon
Binghamton at Lamar University, 2:30 p.m.
Loyola Chicago at Lamar University, 5 p.m.
 
Saturday, Feb. 24
Loyola Chicago vs. Binghamton, 9:30 a.m.
Loyola Chicago vs. Alabama A&M, noon
Binghamton at Lamar University, 2:30 p.m.
Alabama A&M at Lamar University, 5 p.m.
 
Sunday, Feb. 25
Alabama A&M vs. Binghamton, 9 a.m.
Loyola Chicago at Lamar University, 11:30 a.m.