COMMERCE – Having played its first 17 games in the state of Texas, the East Texas A&M University softball team heads to California this weekend for the prestigious Judi Garman Classic.
LIONS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE IN FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE LIONS
The Lions begin Southland Conference play next weekend at home against two-time defending Southland Tournament champion Southeastern on March 6-7.
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 at the Lion Invitational to increase its season win total to five. 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.
LIONS LOVE TURNING TWO
After turning three more double plays last week, the Lions now have eight double plays on the season, which is 15th in the country and leads the Southland. The Lions turned 23 games in 52 games last season.
STEAL AT YOUR OWN RISK
As a team, the Lions have caught 11 runners stealing, with
Gracie Alejo (Waco - Connally) leading the way with six caught stealing by on the year. Alejo is fifth in the country and leads the conference with her total.
SHE'S SO FAST, SHE'S SO SAFE
KK Cosek (Helendale, Calif.) has recorded three triples thus far this season, which puts her fourth in the country as well as first in the conference. The Lions as a team are leading the conference and 54th in the country with four triples on the country.
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. She has missed the last eight games.
KLOEPPER FINDING HER GROOVE
Madison Kloepper (Llano) has appeared in 13 of the 17 games in the circle, having started five games and pitched 47.0 innings. She has three wins on the season, which is sixth in the conference. Her 13 appearances thus far rank her third in the country.
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.
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
The first game at the Judi Garman Classic comes against Florida on Thursday night. The Gators are 19-0 on the season, being ranked No. 4 in the USA Softball rankings and No. 6 in the NFCA poll. Florida advanced all the way to the Women's College World Series last season. The Gators lead the country with 193 hits on the year and 44 doubles.
Friday's first game against another perennial power in No. 8/9 UCLA. The Bruins are 13-3 on the year and made it to the second round of the Women's College Wolrd Series last season. UCLA has hit 44 home runs thus far this season, which is second in the country.
The Lions' third game of the weekend is against Oregon State, who is 8-8 on the season. The Beavs have notable wins over Hawaii and twice over Long Beach State. Oregon State sits 18th in the country with 23 home runs on the year.
On Saturday, East Texas A&M goes up against Seattle in the lone game of the day. The Redhawks have an overall record of 9-6 with impressive wins over Hawaii and UNLV. Seattle U is 10th in the country with 34 doubles and 29th with 145 hits on the year.
LMU is receiving votes in all major polls and is 13-2 on the year with Rutgers, Utah, and No. 23 Washington. The Lions are 11th in the country with an ERA of 2.11 and have thrown four shutouts, which is 11th in the country.
The final game of the Judi Garman Classic comes against Cal, who played in the NCAA Tournament a year ago, falling the Norman Regional finals to eventual national semifinalist Oklahoma. The Golden Bears are 5-11 thus far this season with wins over Santa Clara, UC Santa Barbara, Illinois State, San Jose State, and UC San Diego. Cal is 26th in the country with seven double plays on the year.
-ETAMU-
