BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University will make its home debut Tuesday at the LU Softball Complex after spending 20 games on the road to start the season. The Cardinals will be hosting Sam Houston at 5:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
PREVIOUSLY
LU went 3-2 in the Southern Miss Hub City Classic, picking up wins over Chattanooga (7-1), Jackson State (12-0 in 5 inn.) and Morehead State (6-2). 
 
REAGAN GOES THE DISTANCE TWICE
Smith earned a pair of complete game victories against JSU and MSU by pitching 14 innings, allowing two runs on 10 hits and striking out 18 batters. She struck out a career-high 10 in the 12-0 victory over the Tigers Saturday before adding eight against the Eagles Sunday. Smith leads LU with five wins and a 3.41 ERA.
 
CALA IN THE TOP 10 
Cala Wilson homered twice during LU's trip to Hattiesburg, Miss. over the weekend. In just her second season with LU, she has nine career homers, which puts her in a tie for ninth in program history along with Veronica Harrison (2024-25), Shelby Henderson (2017-18) and Donna Dugas (1984-87). 
 
HOME OPENER HISTORY
All-time, the Cardinals are 11-6 in home openers. LU split its first two openers from 1984-87 before being dropped as a program. Since returning in 2013, the Cardinals have won nine of 13 home openers, including seven at their current home facility. Last season, LU shut out UL Monroe, 3-0 behind the pitching of Smith. 
 
   
LAST TIME VS. SHSU
The Cardinals (10-10) took down SHSU, 9-4, in the last meeting in Huntsville. Riley Whitley and Cala Wilson both went deep in the game and combined for five RBIs while Cimara-lei Wessling recorded a team-high three hits. Reagan Smith (4.0 IP, four hits, four runs, two strikeouts) got the win and Madison Guidry (three hits, two strikeouts) pitched three scoreless innings to earn the save.
 
 
ABOUT THE BEARKATS
SHSU (14-8) went 3-2 in the Oklahoma Sooner tournament and is coming off a 3-2 nine-inning victory over Southeastern Louisiana. Jordan Peno drove in two runs, including the game-winner on a walk-off double. Sophia Lundstrom leads the Bearkats with 28 hits, while Bella Perez is the RBI leader with 22.
 
WELCOME BACK RONI
Former Cardinal Veronica Harrison makes her return to the LU Softball Complex as a member of the Bearkats. In her two seasons with LU, the Alvin native compiled 95 hits (.303 BA), 20 doubles, nine homers and 67 RBIs. She also earned SLC first team honors as a designated player and was named SLC Hitter of the Week in 2025.
 

UP NEXT
SLC play opens as LU will head across the border to Lake Charles, La. to meet with McNeese for three games. Friday's opener starts at 6 p.m. while the doubleheader Saturday begins at 1 p.m.