BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University softball team plays its final in-season tournament of the regular season when it travels to Starkville, Mississippi, for five games at the Bulldog Slamboree, hosted by Mississippi State.
 
The Cardinals (7-7) play two games against both Alcorn State and Mercer and one against the host Bulldogs, who are ranked 25th in the nation.
 
LU heads to the tournament looking to bounce back from its most disappointing loss of the season, dropping a 3-2 decision to visiting Louisiana Tech on Wednesday, as the Lady Techsters rallied for the win with unearned runs in the sixth and seventh innings. LU tied a school record with six errors in the game.
 
"That was uncharacteristic of us," LU coach Holly Bruder said. "We need to address it and change it."
 
LU opens the weekend by taking on Mercer (12-2) at 1 p.m. Friday. The Cardinals face Mississippi State (12-3) at 3:30 p.m. Friday. The Cardinals have a rematch with Mercer at 9 a.m. Saturday before closing out the weekend with two games against Alcorn State (1-9), facing the Braves at 7 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
 
"Mercer and Mississippi State are tremendous teams," Bruder said. "Mississippi State is the fourth nationally ranked team we're playing this season. I'm not afraid to play the top teams in the nation. These games are going to make us better."
 
LU shortstop Savana Guidry brings a 10-game hitting streak into the weekend. The junior leads the Cardinals with a .500 batting average. LU has three other players hitting .300 or better: Maddy Myers (.321), Kelly Meeuwsen (.302) and Shannon Klaus (.300).
 
Freshman right-hander Taylor Gruell (1-0, 3.79) and senior right-hander Laura Napoli (3-4, 3.86) lead the LU pitching staff.
 
Friday's game against Mississippi State will be streamed online by the SEC Network+.
 
ON DECK: The Cardinals host Penn State at 4 p.m. Wednesday before opening Southland Conference play with a three-game series at Northwestern State next weekend.
 
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.