FRISCO, Texas – The Lamar University softball team was picked to finish ninth in the 2019 Southland Conference softball season in a poll of the conference's coaches and media relation contacts.
 
The complete poll can be seen below. The Cardinals finished last season in ninth place in the SLC with an 11-16 record and were 28-28 overall on the season. This season, the Cards are led by first year head coach Amy Hooks. LU returns 12 letter winners from last years team; including five starters.
 
Defending champion Nicholls was picked to win the SLC this season. McNeese earned 224 points and Central Arkansas had 164 points to round out the top three places in the SLC. The top eight teams qualify for the Southland Conference Tournament, set for May 7-10 in Natchitoches, La.
 
On Tuesday, LU's had two returning players named to the conference's preseason all-conference team as senior infield Kelly Meeuwsen and senior infielder Taylor Davis were both named to the second team. 
 
The Cards open its season on Friday, Feb. 8 at the Scrap Yard Tournament. LU will face Wisconsin at 11:30 a.m. and Nebraska at 4:30 p.m. Lamar opens its home schedule on Feb. 22 when they host the Cardinal Classic at the LU Softball Complex.
 
For tickets for LU home games, please call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE. The Montagne Center ticket office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. LU students receive free admission to home games with their Cardinal One card.
 
Fans can stay tuned to LamarCardinals.com or @LamarAthletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram all season long for updates on softball and all other LU teams competing in the 2018-19 season.

Coaches and SIDs Poll (1st Place Votes)

1.	Nicholls (18)	238
2.	McNeese (6)	224
3.	Central Arkansas	164
4.	Southeastern Louisiana	163
5.	Stephen F. Austin	158
6.	Northwestern State	156
7.	Sam Houston State	145
8.	Abilene Christian	119
9.	Lamar	80
10.	UIW	61
11.	Texas A&M-Corpus Christi	40
12.	Houston Baptist	36