COMMERCE – The East Texas A&M University softball team begins Southland Conference play this weekend against two-time defending conference tournament champion Southeastern at the John Cain Family Softball Complex.
LIONS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE CHANGE
Due to anticipated inclement weather, Friday's doubleheader has been moved up to 10 a.m. Saturday's series finale at noon remains as scheduled.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE LIONS
Following the series to open conference play, East Texas A&M heads south to face defending national champion Texas on Wednesday before taking on A&M-Corpus Christi next Friday-Saturday.
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
The Lions have turned nine double plays this year, which is 31st in the country and leads the Southland Conference. 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 14th in the country and second in the country 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 ninth in the country as well as first in the conference.
KLOEPPER AND MULLER FINDING THEIR GROOVE
Both
Madison Kloepper (Llano) and
Maddie Muller (Frisco - Memorial) have appeared in 16 games each this season, which is third in the conference, as well as eighth in the conference.
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 SOUTHEASTERN
Winners of the last two Southland tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament Regional Finals in each of those seasons, Southeastern is 14-9 thus far this season with a game at UT Arlington on Thursday evening before making its way to Commerce Friday morning. The Lady Lions have already recorded notable wins over No. 5 Oregon and Texas State. Southeastern is ninth in the country with a total of 48 stolen bases.
Cydnee Schneider has seven doubles, which is third in the SLC, while Haley Crawford's ERA of 1.31 is top 35 in the country and second in the SLC.
-ETAMU-
