BEAUMONT, Texas - Even though Lamar University's softball team is prepping up for their upcoming 2024 season, head coach Amy Hooks has already planned out for the following season by adding newcomers to the roster. On Signing Day, the Cardinals welcomed seven incoming freshmen for the 2025 campaign.

Ava Blakely - OF/IF - Wesley Chapel HS/Wesley Chapel, Fla.

Through 70 games of her high school career as a Wildcat, Blakely has batted .381 with 77 hits, 58 RBI, 72 runs scored, 19 doubles, 10 triples, and seven homers. Last season, she led the Wildcats to a district championship and a trip to the regional quarterfinals while earning team MVP honors and the second two first team all-conference awards. 

Blakely also received the 2021 Miracle Sports Class 4A 2nd Team All-State award and has also been a member of the Tampa Mustangs club softball organization since 12U. She will be majoring in Kinesiology at LU. 

"Ava is a speedy outfielder from Florida and we are delighted she will be a part of the Cardinal family." - Amy Hooks

Kaylee Cuevas - P/UTL - Teague HS/Teague, Texas

A resident of Teague, Cuevas spent her high school career with the Lady Lions. Throughout her high school career to date, she has struck out 842 batters and won 63 games in the circle. She also has been productive at the plate driving in 136 RBI and 37 homers. 

Earning first team all-district and all-Cen-Tex honors, Cuevas was named district pitcher of the year, newcomer of the year, all-state, and co-MVP. In addition, Cuevas has played for the Texas Glory, Impact Gold, and Centex Buzz club teams. A member of the Hispanic Honor Society, she will be majoring in Kinesiology. 

"Kaylee brings velocity to our pitching staff. She has a great combination of speed and movement. She will  be a great compliment to the staff." - Amy Hooks

 

Neveah Hallmark - OF/UTL - Pasadena, Texas/Pasadena HS

From Pasadena, Hallmark has spent her high school career with the Mighty Eagles. In her time, she earned first team all-district and honorable mention honors for her play. 

On the club circuit, Hallmark played for the Texas Impact Gold national team. She also is a two-time National Honors Society member and was also selected to the Hispanic National Honor Society. Hallmark will major in psychology while at LU. 

"Neveah is academically driven with a big personality. She has great reads in the outfield and will provide depth to that position group." - Amy Hooks

 

Cimara-lei Wessling - C/UTL - Converse, Texas/Veterans Memorial HS

Catching behind the plate, Wessling, a Converse native joins LU following her career as a Patriot at Veterans Memorial High School. Over the last two seasons, In 40 games, she is batting .376 with 44 hits, 39 RBI, 14 doubles, one triple, and eight homers. 

Wessling earned newcomer and offensive player of the year honors from the district as a sophomore and was co-catcher of the year as a junior. This three-time academic all-district member was all-area last season and will plan to major in studio art design at LU. 

"Mara is a utility player and will help on the offensive side of the ball." - Amy Hooks

Ava Sanchez - C/OF - Brennan HS/San Antonio, Texas

From San Antonio, Sanchez has already established herself as a two-time first team all-district member with the Bears of Brennan High School. She earned the 2021 Newcomer of the Year honor from District 29-6A and was part of the USSSA Direct Select in 2018.

In 76 games played to date, Sanchez has collected 81 hits with 58 RBI, 21 doubles, four triples, and six homers all while batting a career .358. On the club level, she's been a member of the Texas Bombers Academy and plays for the Bombers Gold American 18U. A National Honors Society member, she will intend to major in biology at LU. 

"Ava is a wall behind the plate. She has a tremendous work ethic and loves getting better." - Amy Hooks

Cala Wilson - P/IF - Ruston, La./Ruston HS

A native of Ruston, La., Wilson will arrive to Beaumont after producing a decorated career with the Bearcats. A three-time first team all-district and also a first and second team all-area, she earned all-state honorable mention honors as a sophomore and was the team MVP last season. 

Also a two-sport athlete, this fall, she led the Bearcats' volleyball team to a district championship. Wilson has been on the principal's list for three years and earned LHSAA all-academic honors in 2023. She has spent time on club teams playing for the Texas Glory and was part of the USA Select Team. She will major in General Business. 

"Cala is a big bat from Louisiana. She will add tons of power on the offensive side and has a great glove at first base." - Amy Hooks

Sicily Windham - SS - Huntington Beach, CA/Crean Lutheran HS

Soon to make her way to Texas from the California coastline, Windham, a Saint from Crean Lutheran High School, spent the last three seasons  earning first team all-league and all-CIF honors. Last season, she was the team's player of the year and earned a coaches award as a freshman. 

Also last season, she helped the Saints to a quarterfinals appearance in the state playoffs. In addition, she played club ball for the Firecrackers McVeigh-Beason 18U and Lady Dukes Watson National 18U squads. Her intended major will be marketing. 
 

"Sicily is a middle from California with great hands. She loves defense and will provide solid depth to the middle of the infield." - Amy Hooks

 

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