BEAUMONT, Texas – After several schedule changes due to the recent winter weather in Texas, the Lamar University softball program will finally hit the field again, and this time in Conroe, Texas as they are set to partake in the Scrap Yard Blizzard Challenge from Saturday, February 20th to Sunday, February 21st. The Cardinals will then host No. 11/8 Oklahoma State in a doubleheader on Monday, February 22nd.
The Cardinals will open play on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. against the Shockers of Wichita State before staying on the field to play against the North Texas Mean Green.
The Big Red will then turn their attention to play on Sunday where they will square off against the Mean Green in another contest with first pitch set for 11:00 a.m. and will end the day with a contest against future WAC opponent Tarleton State at 1:15 p.m.
The Cardinals will return to the LU Softball Complex when they host nationally ranked Oklahoma State in doubleheader action. First pitch on Monday is set for 4 p.m. with game two set to begin 30 minutes at the conclusion of game one.
The Cardinals were set to compete in the Tracy Beard Classic this weekend in Frisco, Texas, but due to the recent winter storm that swept the state, the classic was canceled with each team's travel and the field conditions in mind.
Scouting Report
Wichita State
2020 record: 11-16, 0-0 AAC
Series record: Wichita State leads 1-0
Last outing: The Shockers down the Cardinals in five innings, 19-2, back on Feb. 7, 2020.
Key Info: The Shockers have yet to play a game in the 2021 season has winter weather has forced them to cancel travel plans. The contest between LU and WSU marks the Shockers season opener.
North Texas
2021 record: 1-1, 0-0 CUSA
Series record: Series tied 5-5
Last outing: The Mean Green captured a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Cardinals on Feb. 18, 2017.
Key player/stat: North Texas is led by Tayla Evans who is currently hitting .500 on the year and has recorded two doubles.
Tarleton State
2021 record: 0-0, 0-0 WAC
Series record: First Meeting
Last outing: This is the first meeting between the Cardinals and the Texans.
Key Info: Tarleton State is in the transition period to the NCAA Division I level as they previously competed as a NCAA DII institution. The Scrap Yard Blizzard Challenge will be the first competitions at the NCAA Division I level for the Texans.
No. 11/8 Oklahoma State
2021 record: 2-0, 0-0 Big 12
Series record: First Meeting
Last outing: This is the first meeting between the Cardinals and the Cowgirls.
Key Info: The Cowgirls are coming off a shortened appearance in the Best on the Bayou Classic. They are led by Michaela Richbourg and Chyenne Factor who are both batting .667 on the year. Richbourg leads the team with two home runs and has a 1.833 slugging percentage.
For the latest news and information on the Cardinals, follow Lamar Softball on Twitter (@LamarSoftball), Facebook (Lamar Softball), Instagram (@LamarSoftball) and lamarcardinals.com/sports/softball.
