COMMERCE – Following a mid-week game at the defending national champions on Wednesday, the East Texas A&M University softball team resumes Southland Conference play this weekend at A&M-Corpus Christi.
LIONS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE LIONS
The Lions are back at home to host Lamar next weekend, which begins a five-game home stand.
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.
CHALLENGED THE BEST OF THE BEST
On Wednesday, the Lions took on defending national champion and No. 3/3 Texas, falling in five innings. The Lions have now played the defending national champion in each of the past three seasons.
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
The Lions have turned nine double plays this year, which is 71st in the country and leads the Southland Conference. The Lions turned 23 double plays in 52 games last season.
STEAL AT YOUR OWN RISK
As a team, the Lions have caught 14 runners stealing, with
Gracie Alejo (Waco - Connally) leading the way with nine caught stealing by on the year. Alejo is fifth in the country and first in the Southland 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 16th in the country as well as first in the conference.
KLOEPPER AND MULLER FINDING THEIR GROOVE
Maddie Muller (Frisco - Memorial) has appeared in 18 games thus far this season, which puts her 18th in the country and third in the Southland, while 17 appearances from
Madison Kloepper (Llano) are sixth in the conference and 38th 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 eight home runs hit by the Lions thus far this season ranks them sixth in the conference.
Tatum Wright (Frisco - Centennial) has hit six home runs this year, which is third in the conference and 132nd in the country.
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 14 sacrifice bunts, which is 45th in the country and third in the Southland.
Charli Anger (Lubbock - Cooper) has an average of 0.16 bunts per game, which leads the team, fifth in the conference, and 125th in the country.
SCOUTING THE ISLANDERS
A&M-Corpus Christi played its first home game on Wednesday, winning 7-0 over UTSA to snap a five-game losing skid. The Islanders are now 6-20 on the season with the other wins coming over Stony Brook, Prairie View A&M (twice), Abilebne Christian and Detriot Mercy. A&M-Corpus Christi was swept by UIW last week in San Antonio to begin conference play. Last season, the Lions swept the Islanders in Commerce, which was their first three wins in the series with the Islanders having won the previous six.
Skylar Heger is batting .313 with two home runs and 13 RBIs to lead the team, while Mimi Thornton is batting .250 with one home run and 10 RBIs. In the circle, Kendra Winfrey has an ERA of 9.55 to lead the team, she is 4-6 with 31 strikeouts.
-ETAMU-
