BEAUMONT, Texas – After suffering their first series defeat in conference play, Lamar University softball looks to get back on track with a midweek matchup against UTSA on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the LU Softball Complex.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Runs were at a premium in the Cardinals' weekend series against Nicholls as the Colonels took two of three low-scoring affairs. The first game of the series was a heartbreaker for Big Red as they fell 4-1 in 13 innings in what was the longest game in team history. They then split their doubleheader on Friday with 3-2 loss in Game 1 before a shutout on the mound from Sabrina Jolin spurred a 2-0 win.
 
KEY STORYLINES
Stranded baserunners haunted the Cardinals against Nicholls especially in their two losses where they left 20 runners on base between the two games. This had not yet been a major problem for LU this season due to the success of their pitching staff but will need to be addressed as they prepare for tougher opposition.
 
Speaking of the pitching staff, they are currently on track for their best statistical season since the program was resurrected in 2013. Buoyed by Emma Wardlaw and Karyana Mitchell, the Cardinals have allowed three or fewer runs in 22 of its 35 games and hold a 21-1 record in those contests.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
In her first game on the mound in over two weeks, Jolin did not miss a beat as she managed a complete game shutout in the Cardinals' lone win over Nicholls. She allowed seven hits on just 66 pitches and emerged as another quality arm for the team moving forward.
 
While not as active on the base paths recently, Shenita Tucker has been hot at the plate for the Cardinals over the last two weeks with hits in seven of her last eight games. In that span, she has hit .400 with six runs scored and three doubles, including two in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against Nicholls.
 
OPPONENT INFO: UTSA
Time: Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Series Record: UTSA 13-5
Last Meeting: LU 4-2 (3/26/24)
 
The Roadrunners took two of three in their weekend series against Memphis including an 11-1 run-rule victory on Friday. Jaylen Prichard recorded a season-high three RBI in that game while Jamie Gilbert threw a five-hit complete game shutout in a 5-0 win on Thursday.
 
This will be the second leg of this I-10 series this year as the Cardinals came out on top last Tuesday with a 4-2 win in San Antonio. A go-ahead two-run homer from Veronica Harrison in the top of third was the difference in the game while Karyana Mitchell retired the final 14 batters she faced in a complete game effort on the mound.