BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University softball will look to continue climbing up the standings when Stephen F. Austin visits the LU Softball Complex for a three-game series starting with a doubleheader 4 p.m. Friday.
During a 6-3 victory at Abilene Christian, sophomore infielder Sam Bean was placed in the leadoff spot for the first time. She did not disappoint. Bean finished the day 3-for-3, scoring four runs and drawing one walk. The 5-foot-6 Rockwall product was a double shy of the cycle. On the second pitch of the game, she blasted her first collegiate home run. Bean is currently tied for the conference lead in doubles with six during WAC play.
Additionally, junior catcher Felixia Hinojosa has reached base in 12 consecutive games. Other hitters to keep an eye on for the Cardinals (9-23, 4-11 in WAC play) include senior infielder Kaylee Ancelot and sophomore outfielder Hayley Freudenberg, each of whom have two homers in conference play.
Senior pitcher Aaliyah Ruiz continues to climb up the LU softball all-time leaderboard. She currently sits in fourth place with 220 strikeouts. Laura Napoli holds the all-time record at 275. Shannon Millman sits in third place with 226.
Freshman pitcher Haila Linton is coming off her first complete game, in which she also earned her first win in conference play. In the victory, Linton struck out a season-high five batters.
SFA (19-18, 10-2 in WAC play) has won seven consecutive conference games since March 18 when LU defeated the Ladyjacks 4-3 in Nacogdoches. Junior infielder Nicolette Ramirez hit a solo home run and Bean scored the game-winning run in the seventh inning on an RBI double from Ancelot. Ruiz secured a complete game victory, striking out five batters while allowing three earned runs on six hits, one walk and one hit batter.
After starting out 0-6 in WAC play, Big Red has amounted a 4-5 record against the top three teams in the Southwest Division. This includes a 2-1 record at home. With nine conference games remaining, LU is on the brink of qualifying for the conference tournament for the first time since 2019.
First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 4 p.m. Friday with game two scheduled for 6 p.m. Game three is set for noon Saturday. All games will be streamed on the WAC Digital Network.
#WeAreLU
