2020 Softball Virtual Senior Day

4/18/2020 11:50:00 AM | By: Will McFarland, Assistant Director of Media Relations

BEAUMONT, Texas – With the upgrading of the coronavirus (COVID-19) to a worldwide pandemic, the Southland Conference, following the lead of the NCAA, canceled the remainder of the 2020 spring athletics competitions. Although a very tough decision which had to be made, it left numerous student-athletes in a position of facing the prospects of never being honored by their fans during their respective Senior Day festivities.

Despite the fact the NCAA has since ruled to provide waivers for those seniors, LamarCardinals.com did not want to miss the opportunity to honor them for their hard work by holding a Virtual Senior Day (the online recognition will not preempt Senior Day festivities next season should these student-athletes return to campus for the Spring 2021 season). Since the Cardinals were scheduled to hold their actual Senior Day today against McNeese, LamarCardinals.com decided to hold a Virtual Senior Day for our five seniors.

Our first senior is Elizabeth Castillo. An exercise science major from Houston, Texas, Castillo was a four-year letter winner for the Cardinals. During her time on campus, she appeared in 130 contests over four years while making 78 starts. Castillo has been a mainstay in the outfield for the Cards. Her skill on defense has led to 200 putouts and 84 assists leading to a .928 fielding percentage. She has been responsible for 35 hits, 28 runs and 18 RBIs in her four years as a Cardinal.

"Elizabeth played all four of her years at Lamar," said LU head coach Amy Hooks. "She was willing to play wherever her team needed her. She liked to keep things light and loved when the music was on at practice. Good luck in graduate school."

Our next senior is Mackenzie Futrell. An exercise science major from Florence, Texas, Futrell was a three-year letter winner for the Cardinals. During her time on campus, she appeared in 63 contests over three years while making 25 starts. Futrell will finish with a .974 fielding percentage with 35 putouts, while committing only one error in three seasons with the Cardinals.

"Futrell pushed herself every day," stated head coach Amy Hooks. "We will always remember the home run against Maryland that ended up being the game winning homerun. She pushed her teammates and gave it her all for four years. I wish her the best in her next chapter."

Our next senior is Shannon Klaus. An exercise science major from Cedar Creek, Texas, Klaus was a three-year letter winner for the Cardinals. During her time on campus, she appeared in 125 contests over three years while making 124 starts. Klaus has been a mainstay in the outfield for the Cards. Her skill on defense has led to 250 putouts and 15 assists leading to a .943 fielding percentage. She sits at 11^th in program history in career batting average at .289 and boast a .365 career on-base percentage. She has been responsible for 112 hits, 60 runs and 19 RBIs.

"Shannon was a spark at the top of the lineup," said LU head coach Amy Hooks "She could set the tone with her lead off at bat or change the momentum by throwing someone out at the plate. She gave her all every day and left her mark on this program. I wish her the best in whatever is next."

Our next senior is Erin Kyle. An American Sign Language major from Fort Myers, Fla., Kyle was a four-year letter winner for the Cardinals. Her nine wins are tied for the eighth most at Lamar. She has recorded five complete games in her career and struck out 49 batters. She has a career ERA of 3.71 over 111.1 innings pitched.

"Erin is our only out of state kid. Erin was a bull shark on the mound and took care of business in the classroom," said head coach Amy Hooks. "She worked extremely hard for four years and was always willing to help the other pitchers in the bullpen. I know Erin will do great things in whatever her future holds."

Our final senior is Jade Lewis. An exercise science major and psychology minor from Mont Belvieu, Texas, Lewis was a two-year letter winner for the Cardinals. During her time on campus, she appeared in 78 contests over two years while making 74 starts. Lewis has been a mainstay in the lineup for the Cards. She sits at 2nd in program history in career batting average at .337 and boast a .424 career on-base percentage, which is a program 4^th best. She has been responsible for 69 hits, 24 runs and 32 RBIs.

"Jade was my first recruit as a head coach," said LU head coach Amy Hooks. "She worked extremely hard every day and accomplished so much during her short time at Lamar. She left her mark in the Southland and is leaving Lamar better than she found it."

#WeAreLU

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