COMMERCE – The final set of non-conference games in the month of February at the John Cain Family Softball Complex for the East Texas A&M University softball team with the Lion Classic this weekend.
LIONS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE LIONS
Next weekend, the Lions head west to Fullerton for the Judi Garman Classic taking on Florida, UCLA, Oregon State, Seattle, LMU, and Cal.
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.
HALF-WAY THERE
East Texas A&M picked up two wins last weekend at the Lion Invitational to increase its season win total to five through the first 11 games of the season. The fifth win of the season came in the ninth game, which is the earliest the Lions have won their fifth game in the Division I era. The Lions are also halfway to equalling to last season's win total of 10 games, which is the most in a season in the Division I era.
TATUM GETTING HOT
Despite having played just eight games thus far this season,
Tatum Wright (Frisco - Centennial) has started where she left off last season, in which she was named to second team all-Southland. Wright has totaled five home runs, which is tied for top 15 in the country, while batting .520 with 13 hits and seven RBI's. She is slugging 1.120 on the season thus far and her batting average is second in the conference.
LIONS LOVE TURNING TWO
The Lions have turned five double plays through the first 11 games of the season, which is 39th in the country and second among Southland schools. The Lions turned 23 games in 52 games last season.
KLOEPPER FINDING HER GROOVE
Madison Kloepper (Llano) has appeared in nine of the 11 games in the circle, having started two games and pitched 32.0 innings. She has recorded an ERA of 3.72, while being 3-2 in decisions. Her three wins are 43rd in the country and second in the Southland.
HOME RUN QUEENS OF THE SOUTHLAND
Last season, East Texas A&M hit 38 home runs, which led the Southland Conference. The six home runs hit by the Lions thus far this season ranks them fourth in the conference.
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 have appeared in at least one game this season.
MEEP MEEP
The Lions are 13 for 16 in stolen base attempts this season, which puts them top 125 in the country with an average of 1.18 stolen bases per game.
LAYING DOWN THE BUNT
Thus far this season, the Lions have recorded nine sacrifice bunts, which is 11th in the country and leads the conference.
Charli Anger (Lubbock - Cooper) is averaging 0.30 sacrifice bunts per game, which is 49th in the country and second in the conference.
SCOUTING THE COMPETITION
SIUE and East Texas A&M meet for the third straight season in Commerce, with the Cougars having won the previous four meetings between the two squads. SIUE is 2-8 on the season thus far, having recorded wins at Fresno State and over SLC foe Northwestern State. Abby Harvell is hitting .333 to lead the team with one RBI, while Ashley Duran is batting .316 along with one home run on the season. Mia Volpert has tossed 28.2 innings in the circle, being 2-2 and has an ERA of 4.64.
The Mean Green and the Lions played on Wednesday night in Denton with the Mean Green winning 4-0. The two teams play twice this weekend with UNT now being 3-8 on the season. The Mean Green are returning to Commerce for the first time since 2024, being 2-0 at the Cain Family Field coming into this weekend.
Two of the final four games of the weekend come against St. Thomas, who like East Texas A&M, is in first season of being full members of NCAA Division I. The Tommies are 7-3 on the season with marquee wins over UTEP, New Mexico State twice, Nicholls, Northwestern State, and Louisiana Tech. This is the first time the two teams are playing each other. Avery Wukawitz is batting .452 on the season with six home runs and 10 RBIs, while Abbi Stierlen has five home runs and 10 RBIs, having recorded an average of .414. In the circle, Ella Cook has an ERA of 0.94 with 22.1 innings pitched and a record of 2-1.
Southern is 4-4 on the season and plays a doudleheader at Arlington Baptist on Friday before making the trip over to Commerce on Saturday. The Lady Jaguars' wins thus far include Howard, North Carolina A&T, Maryland-Eastern Shore. Abigail Mitchell is hitting .450 to lead the team along with nine RBIs on the season. Jordynn Jennings has an ERA of 1.87 with a record of 2-1 in six appearances.
-ETAMU-
