BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University will begin its 14th softball season by heading to Baton Rouge, La., to compete in the LSU Tiger Classic this weekend. The Cardinals will start Thursday against NC State at 3:30 p.m., play Friday (10 a.m.) and Saturday (3 p.m.) against Illinois and then have two games Sunday with Nevada (10 a.m.) and No. 13 LSU (3 p.m.). All games will be played at Tiger Park.
LAST SEASON
The Cardinals recorded their third-straight 20-win season after going 29-27 overall and 15-12 in Southland Conference play. This was the best season in the
Amy Hooks era and would help LU earn the fifth seed in the conference tournament.
NINE BACK ON OFFENSE
The Cardinals are returning 14 members from last season's team, including nine non-pitchers. Among those coming back is sophomore
Cala Wilson, who started every game batting .295 with four home runs, 10 doubles, one triple and 33 RBIs while earning SLC All-Defensive Team honors at first base. Also returning are graduate student
Kalyn Xayaseng, seniors
Kalie Amos and
Gracee Hess, juniors
Roxy Thompson and
Makenzie Wright and sophomores
Ava Blakely,
Cimara-lei Wessling and
Sicily Windham.
I GOT FOUR ACES
LU brings back four pitchers, including
Kaylee Cuevas (4.31 ERA, 10 Ks),
Madison Guidry (4.05 ERA, 42 Ks),
Mallory Pitre (3.38 ERA, 48 Ks) and
Reagan Smith (3.50 ERA, 66 Ks), who combined for 15 complete games and 166 strikeouts. Smith led the staff with nine wins while Guidry and Pitre each won seven and earned SLC Pitcher of the Week honors.
EIGHT NEWCOMERS IN
The Cardinals added eight newcomers, including freshmen
Payton Barrett,
Ariel Flores,
Isabella Flores,
Kinlee McGuire,
Kamaryn Radford and
Riley Whitley. LU also adds two transfers in junior
Ava Prejean and sophomore
Molly Powell, a two-sport athlete who will join the team following the conclusion of the women's basketball season.
OPPONENT INFO: NC State
Time: Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
Series Record: First Meeting
ABOUT NC STATE WOLFPACK
The Wolfpack went 25-29 last season, including 6-18 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Hannah Church led the Wolfpack with 53 RBIs and 19 homers while being earning NFCA East All-Region and All-ACC honors. In the circle, Wynne Gore (7-6, 4.04 ERA, 63 Ks) and Rylee Wyman (5-7, 4.14 ERA, 62 Ks) combined for 125 strikeouts and 12 wins.
OPPONENT INFO: Illinois
Time: Friday at 10 a.m., Saturday at 3 p.m.
Series Record: Illinois leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Ill, 6-5 (2/14/25)
ABOUT THE FIGHTING ILLINI
The Fighting Illini finished 22-28 last season and were 6-15 in the Big Ten Conference. Three players, Adisyn Caryl (.321 BA, 14 multi-hit games), Eileen Donahue (.331, 10 HR, 45 RBI) and Megan Nuechterlein (3.31 ERA, 47 Ks, 91 IP) were named to the conference's players to watch list.
OPPONENT INFO: Nevada
Time: Sunday at 10 a.m.
Series Record: First Meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
ABOUT THE NEVADA WOLF PACK
Nevada enters the season, having gone 41-14 last year and finishing with an 18-4 record to earn the Mountain West regular season championship. A key returner for the Wolf Pack is senior pitcher Hailey McLean, who was named the conference preseason pitcher of the year after she won 17 games in the circle and posted a 2.62 ERA. Madison Clark finished second on the team in hits (63), runs (47), and steals (26).
OPPONENT INFO: No. 13 LSU
Time: Sunday at 3 p.m.
Series Record: LSU leads 2-0
Last Meeting: LSU, 4-1 (3/20/19)
ABOUT THE TIGERS
The Tigers enter the season ranked No. 13 in the nation after going 42-16 last season. Leading this group are NFCA All-Americans Maci Bergeron (60 hits, nine homers, 49 RBI) and SEC Freshman of the Year Tori Edwards, who set a program record with an .802 slugging percentage and tied a school record with 18 homers.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals will head out to Lake Charles, La., next week to compete in McNeese's Carl Vincent Insurance Invitational. They will play two games each with Austin Peay (2/13-11 AM; 2/14-11 AM) and Illinois Chicago (2/13-1:30 PM; 2/14-4 PM).
