BEAUMONT, Texas - Looking for a solid 2023 season, Lamar University's softball team have bolstered their roster as they added seven new members. From across the country and around the world, this group will be looking to contribute to Big Red's success on the field and in the circle.

"I am so excited about this group," said head coach Amy Hooks. "We have the most transfers we have ever had at Lamar and we look for them to make an immediate impact. We added huge bats to boost our offense, some play makers to help defense and some pitchers in the circle. This is one of the most diverse and exciting groups I have been around in a long time. We have girls from all over; Italy, Canada, Florida, Louisiana. I think this will be a fun year for Lamar Softball.  I can't wait to see them help elevate the program.  
 

Fadwa Ben karim - Pitcher - Milan, Italy/Instituto Carlo Dell'Acqua (Odessa College)

From across the Atlantic Ocean in Italy, Ben karim joins the Cardinals after spending two seasons with the Wranglers of Odessa College. In her 50 appearances at OC, she posted a 28-6 record and a 2.87 ERA while striking out 111 batters in 175.2 innings. With nine complete games, Ben karim's last season saw her win 17 games in the circle.

"Fadwa joins us from Italy. She is unique pitcher that complements our pitching staff really well. She is a team player and we are excited to have her here."

Mikaila (Kay Kay) Kenney - Outfielder - Highland Village, Texas/Marcus HS (Marshall)

From the Thundering Herd of Marshall, Kenney tallied two seasons in which she appeared in 56 games with 18 starts, recorded 15 hits, 17 runs, two doubles, two homers, one triple, and 12 runs batted in. She also had a .379 slugging percentage as well as a .350 on base percentage.

In high school, she earned three All-District honors and three times was named Dallas/Fort Worth All-Metroplex Team. Earning 2018 Defensive Player of the Year honors, she recorded 82 hits, 61 RBI, 24 doubles, 15 homers, and had a batting average of .369. Off the field, she was involved with various groups including Circle of Friends, Black History Club, Environmental Club, and the FCA. Kenney plans to major in kinesiology while here at LU.

On the club level, the former Texas Glory and Glory Adkins player won a couple of tournaments including the 2018 TCS Nationals in Atlanta and the 2020 Texas Fastpitch League Alamo Series champions. Kenney is the daughter of Amy and Chris. Chris was a football player for Texas Tech in 1992.

"We are excited to have KayKay. She will add much needed depth to our outfield and another power threat at the plate."

    - Amy Hooks, LU head coach

Julia Kramer - Infielder - Prairieville, La./St. Amant (Nicholls)

Kramer spent last season with Nicholls as a freshman. She started 28 games and notched 19 hits with 10 RBI and scored four runs. Batting .271 last year, she homered in one game.

While in high school, Kramer led the Lady Gators to a state championship in 2019, which included a go-ahead three-run homer that earned her Most Outstanding Player honors. She received two LSWA All-State honors throughout her high school career. She is the daughter of Bryan and Jamie Kramer.

"Julia joins us from another Southland Conference opponent. She is an infielder with a very powerful bat. She is bringing much needed depth on both sides of the ball."

    - Amy Hooks, LU head coach

Emilee LaRue - Catcher - San Antonio, Texas/Blanco

Arriving to Beaumont from San Antonio, the former Blanco Lady Panther will look to be a force behind home plate for LU. Larue earned first team all-district and honorable mention honors for her play. She also has the school's home run record and led the Lady Panthers to a district title. Academically, she graduated in the top 10% and was an academic all-state and all-district honoree.

She played club softball with the Texas Bombers and Sudden Impact teams. Daughter to Shaun and Shelly Larue, the Kinesiology major comes from a family of athletes. Her dad Shaun (Cincinnati Reds), uncle Jason (Reds, Royals, Cardinals), and one grandpa (drafted) all were Major League Baseball players. Her mother Shelly played college volleyball while her sister Ashlee (Ole Miss) and aunt played college softball. Two other cousins were college baseball athletes and another grandpa was a college basketball player.

"Emilee has a great personality. She has a high softball IQ and provides much needed depth at catcher. Emilee comes from a family of successful baseball players which has molded her as a softball player. She was a late in the recruiting process and we are lucky to have added her to the family."

    - Amy Hooks, LU head coach

Rien Milliken - Infielder - Victoria, B.C. Canada/Lambrick Park (Utah Valley)

Canadian born and bred, Milliken joins the Cardinals' program after two seasons with the Wolverines of Utah Valley. Playing 68 games, Milliken batted .343 with 60 hits, 10 doubles, nine homers, and 48 RBI. Her junior year saw her earn second team honors from the Western Athletic Conference.

Milliken spent her freshman season at Galveston College leading the Whitecaps to an appearance in the 2018 NJCAA DI Softball Championship while batting .322 with a pair of homers and 17 RBI. She then joined the Grayson College Vikings in 2019 batting .324 with five homers and 34 RBI.

A five-sport athlete at Lambrick Park, she led the Lions to a national championship. Milliken is the daughter of Rob and Kelly and also has a sister named Taylor. Her father 11 seasons playing professional hockey.

"Rien is from Canada. She brings power to the lineup. She is a graduate student with one last year to play and has made an immediate impact on the team. We are excited she chose us for her last dance."

    - Amy Hooks, LU head coach

Karyana Mitchell - Pitcher - Palm Bay, Fla./Viera HS (UNC Charlotte)

Mitchell arrives to Beaumont after playing two seasons in Charlotte for the 49ers. As a pitcher in 12 appearances, Mitchell posted a 3-1 record in the circle in 27 innings while striking out 21 batters.

At Viera High School, Mitchell won 41 games for the Hawks while leading them to three Cape Coast Conference titles, two district championships, and a regional championship. Earning first team all-conference and all-state honors, Mitchell struck out 276 batters while winning 31 games. Mitchell is the daughter of Patrick and Iesha Mitchell and has one sister in Brianna. She plans to major in Public Health during her time here.

"Kary has a huge personality that fit the team immediately. She is a competitor and wants to elevate the program. Kary is a pitcher with great velocity which will work great with our pitching staff. She also comes from an athletic family with many family members playing professional sports."
    - Amy Hooks, LU head coach

Cameron Niedenthal - Infielder/Pitcher - Port Neches, Texas/PNG (LSCPA)

Transferring from Lamar State College-Port Arthur with intentions to major in general studies, Niedenthal enjoyed two seasons with the Seahawks where she appeared in 81 games recording 107 hits, 26 doubles, four triples, 20 homers, and 71 RBI. She also won 15 games as a pitcher striking out 183 batters in 291.0 innings.

In high school, she finished her senior season 12-0 in the circle while slugging six homers and drove in 34 RBI on 36 hits in 2020 despite a COVID-19 shortened season. Her accolades include 21-5A Offensive Player of the Year and a spot of the Beaumont Enterprise Super Gold First Team. Daughter of Jeremy and Tiffany Niedenthal, she helped out with the Miracle League and Adaptive Sports groups while assisted with rescues during Hurricane Harvey.

"Cameron is a hometown kid with a chip on her shoulder. She can get it done in the circle as well as the box. Cameron has tremendous power at the plate and will be fun to watch."
    - Amy Hooks, LU head coach
 

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