March 4, 2013

Lamar's Game Notes

BEAUMONT, Texas - The Lamar University softball team returns home for the first time in more than three weeks as it hosts Prairie View A&M in a non-conference doubleheader at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Ford Park.

"I'm excited to be at home and show how we've grown," Lamar coach Holly Bruder said. "Being on the road for three weekends in a row is tough, so it will be great to have a home game again."

Lamar (6-11) comes off a 2-1 loss to No. 19 Tulsa in the championship game of the UTA Maverick Invitational on Sunday. Lamar reached the title game with a 3-2 win over Creighton in Saturday's semifinals. The Lady Cardinals haven't been home since a three-game opening series against UTSA on Feb. 9-10.

"I honestly think we've turned the page," Bruder said. "We've made some strides and we want to keep that momentum going."

Candyce Carter leads the Lamar offense with a .326 batting average. Carter also has a team-best .587 slugging percentage and eight RBIs. Her three home runs put her in a tie with Ashley McDowell for the team lead.

Left-hander Shannon Millman (3-5, 4.10, 1 save) and righty Tina Schulz (3-2, 4.24) are scheduled to get the starts for Lamar.

"I'd like to get some of the other pitchers some work, but Shannon and Tina are pitching well right now," Bruder said.

Lexus Walker and Cally Falls are each hitting .600 for Prairie View A&M (3-1). Falls (2-1, 1.29), a left-hander and right-hander Lauren Grun (1-0, 1.04) are the likely starters for Prairie View A&M.

Tuesday's doubleheader is the last tune-up for the Lady Cardinals before Southland Conference play starts with a three-game series at Nicholls this weekend.

"I'd like to get a little consistency going heading into conference," Bruder said. "We got some confidence with the way we played this past weekend at Arlington. We just have to keep it going."

For ticket information, call (409) 880-1715, or visit www.LamarCardinals.com.

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