BEAUMONT, Texas - Filling out her coaching staff, Lamar University head softball coach Amy Hooks announced Wednesday the hiring of Erin Dixson, Rudi Cantu-Torres, and Tara McKenney, completing the staff for the upcoming 2019 season.

ERIN DIXSON - ASSISTANT COACH / PITCHING - FORMERLY AT LSU
Prior to Lamar, Dixson spent two seasons as the graduate manager of the LSU softball team, during which time the Tigers racked up 93 wins, advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals in 2017 and 2018, and advanced to the 2017 softball College World Series. Allie Walljasper earned an NFCA All-American honor after throwing the longest game in SEC history (19 innings), the third All-American honor in Walljasper's career.

Her collegiate career included two seasons at Northeast Mississippi Community College and two seasons at Eckerd College, where she was an Academic All-American, Second Team South Region, and an All-American nominee.

RUDI CANTU-TORRES - ASSISTANT COACH / HITTING - FORMERLY AT ALVIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Prior to her time at Lamar, Cantu-Torres spent five seasons as the head coach of the Alvin Community College softball team, where she accrued over 70 wins while also serving as the team's records keeper, field maintenance manager, equipment manager, recruiting coordinator, bus driver, and trainer. Cantu-Torres began her coaching career as an assistant instructor for the Alvin CC softball team before replacing former head coach Loryn Johnson in the fall of 2013.

Cantu-Torres was a four-year member of the University of Texas - San Antonio (UTSA) Roadrunners softball program, and earned All-Conference honors each season, including First Team All-Southland honors in 2008. She is currently in the Top 5 in career runs scored, career triples, and career at-bats, and ranks in the Top 10 in career hits. Her single-season at-bats and stolen-bases rank in the Top 5 of UTSA's individual records in the 2008, 2009, and 2010 seasons.

TARA McKENNEY - VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT - FORMERLY AT NORTHWESTERN STATE
Prior to Lamar, McKenney spent three seasons as the volunteer assistant at Northwestern State, where she worked with the infield and outfield and instructed in hitting and base running. McKenney also coordinated the Outfield Club Members seasons tickets and meal schedules, the alumni relations and events, and the travel itineraries for the program. McKenney also served as a marketing assistant at the Bank of Montgomery during her time as the volunteer coach at Northwestern State.

McKenney was no stranger to the NSU program before joining as the volunteer assistant coach. She played for the Demons for four seasons, earning NFCA All-South Region honors in 2014 while leading the Demons to SLC tournament championships in 2013 and 2014. She was an All-Southland Conference infielder in 2012, 2013, and 2014 and was named to the SLC All-Tournament team in 2013 and 2014. She holds the highest career batting average in SLC tournament history.