BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University softball team will compete in its first-ever national postseason tournament, as the Cardinals have accepted a bid to participate in the inaugural Postseason National Invitational Softball Championship. The tournament is run by Triple Crown Sports, the same organization that conducts the WNIT in women's basketball.
 
"We are thrilled to be able to compete in a national tournament," LU coach Holly Bruder said. "I know this is something special for our players. For a fifth-year program to receive recognition like this is a tremendous compliment."
 
The first-round pairings and locations will be announced Sunday evening after the announcement of the 64-team NCAA field. The NISC field will consist of a double-elimination format at six regional sites. The six regional champions would compete in the championship round, which would also be a double-elimination format, with the title games on ESPN3. Regional competition starts Tuesday.
 
The Cardinals (28-28 overall, 17-10 Southland Conference), were the No. 3 seed in this week's Southland Conference Tournament. LU has an RPI of 116, the third-best in the conference, behind McNeese and Nicholls.
 
The Cardinals had a school-record seven All-Southland Conference selections this season, led by senior catcher Brynn Baca and junior center fielder Brittany Rodriguez. Baca, who has caught 55 of LU's 56 games this season, batted .306 with one home run and team-leading 30 RBIs. Rodriguez leads the team with a .389 batting average, a .509 slugging percentage, a .457 on-base percentage, 13 stolen bases and nine outfield assists.
 
The tournament means that Baca, along with senior right-handed pitcher Ciara Luna and senior left fielder Ashley McDowell, will be able to extend their careers a little bit longer.
 
Luna, a second-team All-Southland Conference selection is 13-16 with a 2.40 ERA. Luna is LU's all-time leader in strikeouts with 243. Her 131 strikeouts this season are 14 shy of the LU mark of 145 set by Shannon Millman in 2013. McDowell, a third-team all-conference pick, is LU's all-time leader in hits (196), home runs (21), RBIs (107), doubles (41), total bases (314) and stolen bases (37).
 
"I'm glad that our seniors get to play some more," Bruder said. "They have done so much for this program. I'm happy they get to play on a national stage."