BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University softball team returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 14 when they play Team Japan at the FGCU Invitational. Following the game against Team Japan, the Cards play Florida International, Florida Gulf Coast and Memphis.
 
The tournament will be played at the FGCU Softball Complex, which is located on the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University. The facility was opened in Feb. 12, 2004. For more information on the FGCU Softball Complex, click here.
 
The complete schedule for the Cardinals can be seen below:
Feb. 14 - LU vs. Japan, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 - LU vs. Florida International, 12 p.m.
Feb. 15 - LU at Florida Gulf Coast, 5 p.m.
Feb. 16 - LU vs. Florida International, 11:15 a.m.
Feb. 16 - LU vs. Memphis, 1:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 - LU at Florida Gulf Coast, 9 a.m.
 
About the Opponents
Florida International
Florida International opened its season last weekend at the Felsberg Invitational, where they went 4-1 in its home tournament. The lone loss for the Panthers came against Michigan State. The Panthers have three players hitting over .350 on the season led by Jackie Schoff, who is hitting .438. On the season, Schoff has seven hits with one extra base hit. Jessica Rivera follows and has a team-high six RBI on the season. As a team, the Panthers are hitting .258 on the season with seven extra base hits. In the circle, the Panthers are led by Megan Kugelmann, who is 2-0 on the season in two appearances. She has pitched 14 innings and has an ERA of 0.50. As a team, Florida International has an ERA of 1.80 on the season with 29 strikeouts. Opponents are only hitting .192 off Panthers pitching this season. 
 
Florida Gulf Coast
For the second straight weekend, the Eagles will be hosting a tournament at FGCU. On the season, Florida Gulf Coast is 4-2 on the season. After winning the first four games of the season, the Eagles dropped its last two games. On the season, the Eagles are led at the plate by Mikenzie Vaughn. Vaughn is hitting .316 on the season going 6-for-19 from the plate. Vaughn leads the team with three RBIs on the season. FGCU has 10 extra base hits on the season, including seven doubles and three triples. In the circle, the Eagles have an ERA of 0.33. Riley Randolph has an ERA of 0.00 in 19 innings pitched this season. Marissa Mesiemore has an ERA of 0.79 on the season in 17.2 innings pitched. The Eagles pitching staff is only allowing opponents to hit .173 on the season. In 42 innings pitched this season, opponents only have 26 hits against the Eagles.   
 
Memphis
The Tigers enter this weekend with a record of 2-3 on the season. They won the last game of FIU Invitational over Michigan State. As a team, Memphis is hitting .322 on the season with 11 extra base hits. The Tigers have six players hitting .333 or better on the year after the first five games of the season. Samantha Ibison leads the way with an average of .471. Regan Hadley is hitting .400 on the season with one home run and 10 RBIs. The pitching staff for the Tigers has an ERA of 4.59 over 32 innings this season. Mariah Nichols leads the team with an ERA of 4.06 in 10.1 innings pitched this season. Karli Perque leads the team in innings pitched (11.2) and strikeouts (12). Teams are hitting .256 off Tigers pitching this season.

What's Next
Following the FGCU Invite, the Cardinals return to Beaumont, Texas and open its home schedule on Friday Feb. 22 when they host the Cardinal Classic. LU will play Rhode Island and Maine on Friday at 5 and 7:30 p.m.
 
Tickets
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 women's basketball and all other LU teams competing in the 2018-19 season.