COMMERCE – The 11-game home stand to start the season for the East Texas A&M University softball team continues on Thursday as they begin the four-day 18-game Lion Invitational at the John Cain Family Softball Complex.
LIONS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE
TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
See the full schedule of the Lion Invitational
HERE.
A NEW ERA OF LION SOFTBALL BEGINS
• East Texas A&M is now a full Division I member, achieving full member status a year ahead of schedule, and is eligible to compete in the NCAA Tournament this season.
• The Lions also debut their new Nike uniforms, being the only school in the Southland that is outfitted by Nike.
STRONG START TO THE SEASON
The Lions began the season last week with the East Texas A&M Leadoff, going 3-2 in the five games. The two wins on Opening Day over Bucknell and St. Bonaventure marked the first 2-0 start to the season for the program since 2021. The three wins through the first five games are the most since the 2024 season.
LIONS LOVE TURNING TWO
Through five games, East Texas A&M has turned four double plays, which is sixth in the country and leads the Southland Conference. Last season, the Lions turned 23 double plays in the 52 games played.
TATUM GETTING HOT
Having played just four games,
Tatum Wright (Frisco - Centennial) has hit two home runs, which is tied for the lead in the conference and tied for 42nd in the country. She is coming off a season in which she was named to second team all-Southland and hit 12 home runs on the season.
HOME RUN QUEENS OF THE SOUTHLAND
Last season, East Texas A&M hit 38 home runs, which led the Southland Conference. The three home runs thus far this season are tied for fourth after the first weekend of the season.
LOOKING TO REPEAT HISTORY
East Texas A&M is looking to return to the Southland Conference Tournament for the second year in a row. Last season, the Lions made their first ever postseason appearance in the Division I era and won 10 games overall, which is the most in the Division I era.
HELLO NEWCOMERS
This season's rosters features eight newcomers, with five being freshmen and three being transfers. All newcomers appeared in at least one game last season.
MEEP MEEP
The Lions went 10 for 10 in stolen base attempts last season. East Texas A&M was one of three schools in the conference that went perfect in steal attempts with more than 10 attempts and ranks fifth in the conference overall. Last season, the Lions stole 51 bases, which was fifth among Southland schools.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
This weekend sees the Lions play each of the other six teams in the Lion Invitational one time throughout the weekend. The weekend begins against SEMO on Thursday. The Redhawks went 0 for 5 last week in the Southern Miss Tournament, falling to UAB, Southern Miss twice, Louisiana Tech, and Lipscomb. SEMO went 27-19 last season, finishing third in the Ohio Valley Conference and falling to SIUE in the conference tournament semifinals. This is the first ever matchup between the Lions and the Redhawks.
Later on Thursday, the Lions host Grambling for the first time ever. Last weekend, the Tigers beat Alabama A&M at the Jackson State HBCU Invitational, while falling to Jackson State, Dallas Christian, and Arlington Baptist. GSU put together a 17-30 record last season advancing to the second round of the conference tournament.
The Lions begin Friday's doubleheader against Marist, who is ranked No. 20 in the D1Softball Mid Major rankings. It is the first meeting between the two teams. The Red Foxes are coming off a 3-2 weekend at the Charleston Southern Tournament, having recorded wins over College of Charleston, George Mason, and Charleston Southern. The Red Foxes have made the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four seasons and recorded a win over Saint Francis at the College Station Regional.
Rhode Island and East Texas A&M play for the first time to end Friday's action. The Rams are beginning the season at the Lion Invitational this weekend. Rhody went 14-35 last season.
Saturday's lone matchup for the Lions comes against Jackson State, who also played in the NCAA Tournament last season. The Tigers are 4-0 on the season, having won over Arlington Baptist, Dallas Christian, Alcorn, and Grambling. JSU and East Texas A&M also meet for the first time. The Tigers played in the Tuscaloosa Regional last year.
The final matchup of the weekend comes against Missouri State for the Lions. The two teams are also meeting for the first time. The Bears played at the Red and Black Showcase hosted by Georgia last weekend, going 2-3 with a pair of wins over Fordham. The Bears went 20-33 last season, falling in the Missouri Valley Conference Quarterfinals. MSU joins Conference USA this season.
-ETAMU-
