BEAUMONT, Texas – The future is growing for the Lamar Softball program has head coach Amy Hooks and the Cards signed six players to the 2021 class during the signing period. All players from the signing class hail from Texas.

"I am very excited about this class," said head coach Amy Hooks. "We are adding very talented to players to an already talented group. This class brings a lot of energy and are gamers.  I believe each of these 6 will fit well in our family and help us achieve things that have never been able to achieve at Lamar Softball."

Cassie Blevins  – INF – Smithson Valley HS (Spring Branch, TX)

Cassie Blevins comes to Lamar after a four-year varsity career at Smithson Valley High School where she earned All-District honorable mention honors her freshman season, while earning All-Academic honors her sophomore and junior seasons.

"Cassie is a going to be a very solid corner for us," said head coach Amy Hooks. "We are excited to add some depth to the corners."
Blevins earned defensive MVP honors for Smithson Valley and was selected for The Bomber Way Award from her travel club, Texas Bombers STX Gold National.

Haila Linton – P – Rio Vista HS (Rio Vista, TX)

Haila Linton heads to Lamar with numerous accolades coming with her. Linton was named the District Newcomer of the Year, All-County Newcomer of the Year and the Offensive Player of the Year in 2016-17. She followed up in her sophomore campaign (2017-18) with a First Team All-District selection and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors.

"Haila is going to make our pitching staff stronger immediately," said Hooks. "She going to complement our other pitchers and pitch a lot of innings for us."
Linton performed in the classroom as well as the field as she was honored with District 2a All-Academic honors each year of her career.

Piper Hankins – OF – Trinity HS (Euless, TX)

Piper Hankins comes to Lamar after a four-year varsity career at Trinity High School in the centerfield position, and garnered Honorable Mention All-District honors her freshman season. In Hankins' second season, she was able to produce a .462 batting average with 36 RBIs and 21 steals en route to a First Team All-District selection. She earned Honorable Mention All-State honors from the TSWA for the 2018-19 season.

"Piper will bring speed to the lineup and to the outfield," said Hooks. "She will provide us the ability to use her in different ways at the plate. "

During her junior campaign, Hankins batted .483 with 29 hits, 14 runs batted in and 15 steals before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hankins plans to major in communications while continuing her playing career at Lamar.
 
Sydney Norton – INF – Clemens HS (Schertz, TX)

Sydney Norton is coming to Beaumont to continue her playing and academic career at Lamar after being a four-year letterman at Samuel Clemens High School. Norton earned District All-Academic honors in her junior season.

"Sydney will provide some additional depth to the middle of the infield," said Hooks. "She will also be a boost to our hitting line up."

Kalyn Xayaseng – INF – Kirbyville HS (Kirbyville, TX)

Following in her older sister, Aleka, Kalyn will be attending Lamar to further pursue her academic and athletic career following a solid career at Kirbyville High School. She garnered First Team All-District honors and was named Offensive MVP for District 22 in 2018-29. She was also named Defensive MVP.

"Kalyn is going to join her sister on the team which is going to be a lot of fun," said Hooks. "Kalyn is extremely fast and versatile. She can play outfield and some infield. I see some sibling competitiveness when it comes to stealing bases."

Maya Mongelli – INF – Frenship HS (Wolfforth, TX)

Maya Mongelli comes to Lamar after being a four-year starter at Frenship High School in Wolfforth, Texas. A member of the National Honor Society, Mongelli plans to major in exercise science while at Lamar.

"Maya is a huge addition to our battery," said Hooks. "She is a natural leader behind the plate and will help make our pitchers better. I am also excited about getting her bat in our lineup."