COMMERCE – After playing its last six games on the road, the East Texas A&M University softball team is back in Commerce to host SFA for a three-game Southland Conference series.
LIONS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE VS. THE LUMBERJACKS
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE LIONS
The Lions play at UIW next Tuesday-Wednesday, which are the final three road games of the regular season.
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 in the top five 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 79th in the country and second in the Southland this season. The Lions turned 23 double plays in 52 games last season.
STEAL AT YOUR OWN RISK
As a team, the Lions have caught 23 runners stealing, with
Gracie Alejo (Waco - Connally) leading the way with 14 caught stealing by on the year, which is third in the country, while leading the Southland.
SMALL BALL GETS THE JOB DONE
The Lions have 17 sacrifice bunts on the season, which is 120th 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.
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 a home run against Nicholls to increase her season total to 11, which is 91st 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 LUMBERJACKS
SFA has lost three of its last four coming this weekend's series against the Lions. The Lumberjacks are 4-1 at Cain Family Field already this season, playing in the East Texas A&M Leadoff to start the season, though they did not play against the Lions. SFA's notable wins include a win over UTSA, South Dakota State, and Louisiana Tech in non-conference play. The Lumberjacks are 22-19 overall and 6-9 in conference play.
Ellie Vance has a team-best batting average of .429 with a double, two triples, and 17 RBIs, while Malia Jones has five doubles, eight home runs, and 31 RBIs, slugging .554 on the season. In the circle, Amelia Hatthorn is pitching to an ERA of 2.32 in 24 appearances with five games started. Crimson Bryant is 5-9 with an ERA of 3.23 and 80 strikeouts.
-ETAMU-
