BEAUMONT, Texas - Lamar University (28-25) will begin its Southland Conference tournament run Thursday when it heads to Lake Charles, La. for the first round. As the fifth seed, LU will start with fourth-seeded UIW, whom it also met last weekend. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
Previously
LU dropped two of three to UIW in the last regular season series. In game one, Gracee Hess delivered a game-tying two-run homer in the seventh inning while Veronica Harrison brought in the game-winning run as Big Red won 4-3 in 10 innings. Madison Guidry earned the victory with two shutout innings in relief. While LU overcame a 6-0 deficit in game two, including two-run homers from Cala Wilson and Ava Blakely, UIW walked off with a 7-6 win before taking the series 8-1 in game three.
 
All-Conference Members
Lamar had three players named to the All-Southland Conference teams. Veronica Harrison was named first team as a designated player while Cala Wilson (1B) and Trinity Brandon (3B) were selected to the All-Defensive team.
 
Captain HOOKs
Lamar's 28 wins this season are the most for Big Red in the Amy Hooks era. The 28 wins are also tied for the third-best mark in program history with the 2018 squad. LU will need two more wins to have its third 30-win campaign and the first since 2017.
 
New Format
The SLC tournament will be a two-round affair as the top eight seeds are divided up into two double-elimination tournaments hosted by the top two seeds. To advance out of this round, a team must its respective four-team pod. The two teams that come out of their brackets will compete in a championship series beginning next Thursday. The higher seed of the two remaining will be the host.

Southland Conference History
This is the 13th conference tournament appearance for Lamar in program history. All-time, LU is 11-23 with its best finish being the runner-up in 2016. Last season. Big Red lost both contests by scores of 5-4 in extra innings to UIW and Nicholls.


Up Next
Should LU win its first game on Thursday, it will take on the winner of No. 1 McNeese and No. 8 East Texas A&M at 6 p.m Friday. If LU loses, it will compete in the loser's bracket at 3 p.m.

 

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