BEAUMONT, Texas - The Lamar University softball team unveiled its 2026 schedule as announced by head coach
Amy Hooks Thursday morning. This season, the Cardinals will take the field for 55 contests, with 18 at the LU Softball Complex.
The Cardinals will compete in three tournaments in Louisiana to start the season, beginning with the Tiger Classic (Feb. 5-Feb. 8) in Baton Rouge. LU will also make appearances at McNeese's Carl Vincent Insurance Invitational in Lake Charles (Feb. 13-Feb. 14) and UL Monroe's Best of the Bayou (Feb. 20-Feb. 22).
In Baton Rouge, the Cardinals will challenge themselves against nationally-ranked LSU (Feb. 8) after opening with NC State (Feb. 5th), Illinois (Feb. 6th; Feb. 7th) and Nevada (Feb. 8th). In Lake Charles, LU will be playing two games each with both Austin Peay and UIC. The Cardinals will battle ULM and Northern Iowa twice in Monroe while adding a game with Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Feb. 20th).
Lamar concludes its non-conference tournament play with a trip to Hattiesburg, Miss., for Southern Mississippi's Hub City Classic (Feb. 27-Mar. 1). The Cardinals will take on the hosts on Feb. 28th while also competing with Chattanooga (Feb. 27th), Morehead State (Feb. 27), Mar. 1) and Jackson State (Feb. 28th).
Big Red will be having seven midweek contests during the season, including two against Sam Houston. The first game will be in Huntsville on Feb. 17th, while the second will mark LU's home debut on Mar. 3rd. The Cardinals also have a home-and-away series with Houston (Mar. 10th and 24th), host Texas State (Mar. 18th), and hit the road for games with Texas Southern (Mar. 31) and Baylor (Apr. 6).
Southland Conference play will feature 27 games, including 15 at home. LU's five home series welcome in Stephen F. Austin (Mar. 13th-14th), Nicholls (Mar. 27th-28th), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Apr. 2nd-3rd), Northwestern State (Apr. 14th-15th) and UIW (Apr. 17th-18th). Away from home, the Cardinals will visit McNeese (Mar. 6th-7th), East Texas A&M (Mar. 20th-21st), Southeastern Louisiana (Apr. 10th-11th) and Houston Christian (Apr. 24th-25th).
"We've put together another competitive slate for the 2026 season, and we'll be tested from the very start as we open at the Tiger Classic in Baton Rouge," said Coach Hooks. "Team 14 will be true road warriors throughout February, battling through well-balanced tournaments that will prepare us for a tough SLC schedule. The Southland Conference will be the strongest it's ever been, setting the stage for an exciting year. I can't wait to see what story Team 14 writes in 2026."
Last season, LU recorded its third straight 20-win season by going 29-27, which included 15 wins in the SLC. Earning the fifth seed, the Cardinals reached the SLC semifinals of the Lake Charles bracket.
