COMMERCE – The East Texas A&M University softball team ends its six-game swing away from home at Nicholls this week.
LIONS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE AT THE COLONELS
NOTE: Thursday's doubleheader to begin the series has been moved up to start at 9 a.m. due to forecasted inclement weather in the Thibodaux area later in the day.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE LIONS
The Lions return home to host SFA on April 10-11.
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.
STREAK SNAPPED AGAINST THE ISLANDERS
The Lions took the series finale over A&M-Corpus Christi on March 14 to snap a 20-game losing streak and pick up their first Southland Conference win of the year. With the win, East Texas A&M is now 4-2 against the Islanders over the last two seasons. It was also the first road win of the season and third for the Lions in the Division I era.
CHALLENGED THE BEST OF THE BEST
On March 11, 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. The Longhorns are currently ranked No. 1 across all major polls.
PAST THE HALF-WAY MARK
East Texas A&M has six wins on the season following the series at A&M-Corpus Christi. The Lions' 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. East Texas A&M is past the half-way mark of 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 14 double plays this season, which is 51st in the country and also 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 22 runners stealing, with
Gracie Alejo (Waco - Connally) leading the way with 13 caught stealing by on the year, which is second in the country, while leading the Southland.
SMALL BALL GETS THE JOB DONE
The Lions have 16 sacrifice bunts on the season, which is 105th in the country and third in the conference.
SHE'S SO FAST, SHE'S SO SAFE
KK Cosek (Helendale, Calif.) has recorded three triples thus far this season, which puts her in a tie for 50th in the country.
KLOEPPER AND MULLER FINDING THEIR GROOVE
Madison Kloepper (Llano) took the circle in all three games at Northwestern State last week to increase her season total to 25 appearances and
Maddie Muller (Frisco - Memorial) has appeared in 22 games. Kloepper is now tied for 28th in the country and second in the conference with 25 appearances, while Muller is tied for 103rd in the country. The two pitchers have combined to win five of the team's six winning decisions this year.
HOME RUN QUEENS OF THE SOUTHLAND
Last season, East Texas A&M hit 38 home runs, which led the Southland Conference.
Tatum Wright (Frisco - Centennial) hit two home runs in the series at Northwestern State to increase her season total to 10, which is 89th in the country, while also being second in the Southland.
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.
SCOUTING THE COLONELS
The Colonels come into this week having lost its last four, but is 19-16 overall and 7-5 in Southland Conference play. Nicholls has won eight in a row over East Texas A&M, who won the first ever meeting between the two teams. Outside of a sweep of defending SLC champion McNeese, the Colonels have recorded marquee wins over New Mexico, SIUE, Troy, and Memphis.
Erin Krause is batting .363 with eight doubles, two triples, three home runs, and 27 RBIs to lead the team, while Claire Sisco is hitting .358 with 11 RBIs. The duo is a combined 34 for 37 in stolen base attempts this season. In the circle, Sierra Ouellette is pitching to an ERA of 2.94 with 34 strikeouts in 15 appearances, while Molly Yoo has an ERA of 3.24 with 73 strikeouts in 25 appearancees, being 10-8 in decisions.
-ETAMU-
