BEAUMONT, Texas - As head coach Amy Hooks prepares for the 13th season of Lamar softball, she is already adding newcomers for the future. On National Signing Day, the Cardinals signed six players including two outfielders, a utility player, a middle infielder, a pitcher, and a catcher to the program.
 
"I am really pleased how this class shapes up," said Coach Hooks. "I think we addressed some areas of need and added some versatility to the roster. With college athletics always changing, you want to put together a class that continues to move the needle. I think this class does that and I'm excited to get them to Beaumont."

 
Payton Barrett - C - Moe and Gene Johnson HS/Buda, Texas
Arriving to Beaumont from Buda, Barrett has led the Johnson High Jaguars to the playoffs each the last three seasons. In her career to date, she has batted .250 with 13 hits including two homer runs while slugging .423.
 
Barrett is a two-time second-team All-District 26-6A selection and a three-time academic all-district pick. As a sophomore, she was the recipient of the Jag Heart Award, which is given to the player who best exemplifies teamwork and leadership. She also spent time on the club level with the Hotshots club team and will plan to major in business at LU.
 
"Payton will add some depth to the catchers. She does a great job controlling the game and the pitchers."
- Amy Hooks
 
 
Ariel Flores - OF - Robstown Early College HS/Robstown, Texas
Originally from Corpus Christi, Flores has spent the last three seasons at Robstown Early College High School. While she intends to play the outfield at LU, she was a first-team catcher and shortstop while earning Newcomer of the Year honors.
 
Ariel has batted .580 with 51 hits including 24 doubles, three triples, and six homers. She also was selected to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star team. Her plan is to major in kinesiology at LU.
 
"Ariel will bring depth to our outfield crew. She is a hard worker who will push her teammates."
- Amy Hooks
 
 
Isabella Flores - IF - Wylie HS/Wylie, Texas
Isabella Flores will join the Cardinals following her senior season at Wylie East. For the Lady Raiders, she has put together batting averages of .348 (Fr.), .543 (So.), and .558 (Jr.) while earning two offensive MVP awards.
 
She led the Lady Raiders to a bi-district championship in 2023 and was the Team MVP in her sophomore season. A three-time honor roll member, she also played club softball with the Texas Glory. Isabella will look to major to be a pre-physician assistant.
 
"Isa will add very good hands to our middles. She is very athletic and plays hard."
- Amy Hooks
 
 
Kinlee McGuire - OF - Moe and Gene Johnson HS/Buda, Texas
A teammate of Barrett's at Johnson High, McGuire is coming off a junior year where she batted .448 on 39 hits with 14 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 27 runs scored while leading the Jaguars to their third straight playoff appearance. This helped get McGuire her third all-district honor as well as being named All-Austin Metro 2024.
 
She was also the recipient of the Jag Heart Award and spent her club softball days with the Hotshots and the Glory Naudin teams. McGuire plans to major in both marketing and business.
 
"Kinlee will bring speed to our lineup. She can cover a lot of ground in the outfield and has a great personality."
- Amy Hooks
 
 
Olivia Moore - UTL - Hamshire-Fannett HS/Beaumont, Texas
A local name in the Beaumont area, Moore has helped Hamshire-Fannett High School to 79 wins over the last three seasons with a playoff appearance in each season. Her career to date for the Longhorns has her with 110 hits, 25 homers, and 93 RBIs while picking up two all-district honors, three all-state honors and three offensive MVP awards.
 
Moore recently earned her first Academic All-District honor last season and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has appeared with several club teams including the Impact Gold, Texas Riptide, Texas Dirt Divas and the Strykers. Her expected major will be exercise science.
 
"Olivia is a hometown kid. It is always nice to keep them here. Olivia will bring a powerful bat to the lineup and has tremendous upside and athleticism."
- Amy Hooks


Riley Whitley - RHP - Huntington HS/Huntingdon, Texas
The Cardinals' pitching staff will look to get a boost from Whitley after she completes her final season with the Devils of Huntingdon High School. The right-handed pitcher is coming off her best season with a season-high 257 strikeouts to push her total to 491 for her career. She also provides a big bat with 28 career homers and posted a .667 batting average in her junior season.
 
This two-time district 21-3A offensive player of the year was also the newcomer of the year as a freshman and pitcher of the year as a sophomore. Last season saw the Devils win the district championship and Whitley was named both the district and team MVP. An All-A student, who was class president all four years, she looks to major in education at LU.
 
"Riley will add depth to the offense as she can really swing it. She will also add depth to the pitching staff. Being a two-way player in college is challenging, but Riley is someone that will be able to do it well."
- Amy Hooks
 

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