# 2023 Lamar Lady Cardinals softball team

The 2023 Lamar Lady Cardinals softball team represented Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, during the 2023 NCAA Division I softball season. The Lady Cardinals played their home games at Lamar Softball Complex and were led by fifth-year head coach Amy Hooks. The 2023 season marked Lamar's return to the Southland Conference following one season as a member of the Western Athletic Conference.

## Preseason
### Early signing

On September 2, 2022, Lamar announced that seven new players would join the team for the 2023 season.
| Player | Position | Hometown | Previous Team |
| Mikaila (Kay Kay) Kenney | Outfielder | Highland Village, Texas | Marcus HS / Marshall |
| Julia Kramer | Infielder | Prairieville, Louisiana | St. Amant HS / Nicholls |
| Emilee LaRue | Catcher | San Antonio, Texas | Blanco HS |
| Rien Milliken | Infielder | Victoria, British Columbia Canada | Lambrick Park Secondary School / Utah Valley |
| Karyana Mitchell | Pitcher | Palm Bay, Florida | Viera HS / UNC Charlotte |
| Cameron Niedenthal | Infielder/Pitcher | Port Neches, Texas | Port Neches–Groves HS /Lamar State College–Port Arthur |

### National signing day

On November 10, 2022, National signing day, Lamar announced that ten additional new players would join the team for the 2023 season.
| Player | Position | Hometown | Previous Team |
| Raigan Alexis Brannon | Catcher/Infielder | Mansfield, Texas | Lake Ridge HS |
| Aubrey Brown | Infielder/Utility | Wylie, Texas | Wylie HS |
| Sam Flores | Infielder | Humble, Texas | Summer Creek HS |
| Madison Guidry | Pitcher | La Porte, Texas | La Porte HS |
| Veronica "Roni" Harrison | Infielder | Alvin, Texas | Alvin HS |
| Lainie Schaefer | Infielder/Outfielder | Houston, Texas | Friendswood HS |
| Roxy Thompson | Infielder/Outfielder | Dallas, Texas | Rockwall HS |
| Makayla Valle | Pitcher/Utility | Aurora, Colorado | Grandview HS |
| Emma Wardlaw | Pitcher | Comfort, Texas | Comfort HS |
| Makenzie Wright | Pitcher | Pearland, Texas | Pearland HS |

### Southland Conference Coaches Poll

The Southland Conference Coaches Poll was released on January 26, 2023. Lamar was picked to finish sixth in the Southland Conference with 49 votes.
Coaches poll :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | McNeese State | 128 (16) |
| 2 | Southeastern Louisiana | 113 (2) |
| 3 | Northwestern State | 91 |
| 4 | Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | 85 |
| 5 | Houston Christian | 58 |
| 6 | Lamar | 49 |
| 7 | Texas A&M–Commerce | 47 |
| 8 | Incarnate Word | 45 |
| 9 | Nicholls | 32 |

### Preseason All-Southland team

No Lady Cardinals were named to conference preseason teams.

#### First Team

* Crislyne Moreno (MCNS, SO, 1st Base)
* Caleigh Cross (MCNS, SR, 2nd Base)
* Jil Poullard (MCNS, JR, 3rd Base)
* Maddie Watson (SELA, SO, Shortstop)
* Bailey Krolczyk (SELA, JR, Catcher)
* Kaylee Lopez (MCNS, SR, Utility)
* Audrey Greely (SELA, JR, Designated Player)
* Laney Roos (NSU, JR, Outfielder)
* Alayis Seneca (MCNS, SR, Outfielder)
* Cam Goodman (SELA, JR, Outfielder)
* Ashley Vallejo (MCNS, JR, Pitcher)
* Bronte Rhoden (NSU, SR, Pitcher)

#### Second Team

* Sydney Hoyt (TAMUCC, JR, 1st Base)
* Madison Rayner (SELA, SR, 2nd Base)
* Haylie Savage (HCU, SO, 3rd Base)
* Ryleigh Mata (UIW, SO, Shortstop)
* Tristin Court (NSU, JR, Catcher)
* Melise Gossen (NICH, SR, Utility)
* Chloe Gomez (MCNS, JR, Designated Player)
* Alexa Poche (NICH, JR, Outfielder)
* Makenzie Chaffin (NSU, JR, Outfielder)
* Bailie Ragsdale (NSU, SO, Outfielder)
* Lyndie Swanson (HCU, JR, Pitcher)
* Siarah Galvan (TAMUCC, SO, Pitcher)

## Schedule and results

Legend :
| | Lamar win |
| | Lamar loss |
| | Postponement/Cancellation |
| Bold | Lamar team member |
| * | Non-Conference game |
| † | Make-Up Game |
2023 Lamar Lady Cardinals Softball Game Log :
Regular season (22–34) :
February (3–15) :
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record |
| Houston Invitational ||||||||||||
| Feb. 9 | vs. Virginia* | | Cougar Softball Complex • Houston, TX | 0–5 | E. Bigham (1-0) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (0-1) | | MaxxSportsTV | | 0–1 |
| Feb. 10 | vs. Nebraska* | | Cougar Softball Complex • Houston, TX | 0–8 | Wallace (1-0) | Mitchell, Karyana (0-1) | | MaxxSportsTV | | 0–2 |
| Feb. 10 | at Houston* | | Cougar Softball Complex • Houston, TX | 1–9 | EDWARDS,Taylor (1-0) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (0-2) | | ESPN+ | 463 | 0–3 |
| Feb. 11 | vs Virginia* | | Cougar Softball Complex • Houston, TX | 1–4 | J. Bressler (1-0) | Mitchell, Karyana (0-2) | E. Bigham (2) | MaxxSportsTV | | 0–4 |
| Feb. 11 | vs Nebraska* | | Cougar Softball Complex • Houston, TX | 0–7 | Harness (1-0) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (0-3) | | MaxxSportsTV | | 0–5 |
| Feb. 15 | at Texas* | | Red and Charline McCombs Field • Austin, TX | 2–8 | Gutierrez, Citlaly (1-0) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (0-4) | | LHN | 1,297 | 0–6 |
| I-35 Tournament ||||||||||||
| Feb. 16 | at Texas State* | | Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX | 0–9 | McCann, Tori (1-1) | Mitchell, Karyana (0-3) | | | 361 | 0–7 |
| Feb. 17 | vs. Abilene Christian* | | Roadrunner Field • San Antonio, TX | 6–4 | Mitchell, Karyana (1-3) | Rote, E. (0-2) | | | | 1–7 |
| Feb. 17 | at UTSA* | | Roadrunner Field •San Antonio, TX | 12–13 | GILBERT, Jamie (1-1) | Mitchell, Karyana (1-4) | | | | 1–8 |
| Feb. 18 | vs. Abilene Christian* | | Bobcat Softball Stadium • San Marcos, TX | 5–11 | White, R. (1-1) | Mitchell, Karyana (0-4) | | | | 1–9 |
| Feb. 19 | at UTSA* | | Roadrunner Field • San Antonio, TX | 11–7 | Niedenthal, Cameron (1-0) | ESTELL, Marena (1-1) | | | 265 | 2–9 |
| Feb. 21 | at Stephen F. Austin* | | SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, TX | 3–2 | Mitchell, Karyana (2-5) | A. Telford (3-4) | | ESPN+ | | 3–9 |
| Feb. 21 | at Stephen F. Austin* | | SFA Softball Field • Nacogdoches, TX | 4–6 | S. Hannabas (2-2) | Ben Karim, Fadwa (0-1) | B. Gainous (1) | ESPN+ | | 3–10 |
| Unconquered Invitational ||||||||||||
| Feb. 24 | vs. Troy* | | JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex • Tallahassee, FL | 0–8 (5 inn) | Cato, Olivia (2-1) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (0-5) | | | | 3–11 |
| Feb. 24 | at Florida State* | 6 | JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex • Tallahassee, FL | 0–4 | Ali DuBois (2-1) | Ben Karim, Fadwa (0-2) | | ACCNX | | 3–12 |
| Feb. 25 | vs. FGCU* | | JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex • Tallahassee, FL | 0–7 | HULME,Ally (4-4) | Mitchell, Karyana (2-6) | | | | 3–13 |
| Feb. 25 | at Florida State* | 6 | JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex • Tallahassee, FL | 3–11 | Royalty (5-0) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (0-6) | Wilson (1) | | 1,351 | 3–14 |
| Feb. 26 | vs. Troy* | | JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex • Tallahassee, FL | 0–2 | Johnson, Leanna (7-1) | Mitchell, Karyana (2-7) | | | | 3–15 |
March (7–9) :
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | SLC Record |
| Mar. 1 | at Tarleton State Texans* | | Tarleton Softball Complex • Stephenville, TX | 4–8 | Garcia, Grace (6-1) | Mitchell, Karyana (2-8) | | ESPN+ | 316 | 3–16 | |
| Boerner Invitational ||||||||||||
| Mar. 3 | vs Rider* | | Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX | 9–1 | Ruiz, Aaliyah (1-6) | Stoeckel, F. (2-1) | | | | 4–16 | |
| Mar. 3 | vs. UMKC* | | Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX | 5–4 | Mitchell, Karyana(3-8) | Camryn Stickel(1-4) | | | | 5–16 | |
| Mar. 4 | vs. UMKC* | | Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX | 3–2 | Ruiz, Aaliyah (2-6) | Katie Noble (1-3) | | | 372 | 6–16 | |
| Mar. 4 | vs. Rider* | | Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX | 0–1 | Schmierer, Kathryn(1-1) | Mitchell, Karyana(3-9) | | | 315 | 6–17 | |
| Mar. 5 | at UT Arlington* | | Allan Saxe Field • Arlington, TX | 2–0 | Niedenthal, Cameron (2-0) | Bumpurs, Gracie (3-4) | | | 388 | 7–17 | |
| Mar. 8 | at Sam Houston* | | Bearkat Softball Complex • Huntsville, TX | 1–3 | GUIDON, E. (2-2) | Niedenthal, Cameron (2-1) | | | 302 | 7–18 | |
| Mar. 11 | at Northwestern State | | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | 8–2 | Mitchell, Karyana (4-9) | Darr, Maggie (6-4) | | ESPN+ | 248 | 8–18 | 1–0 |
| Mar. 11 | at Northwestern State | | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | 4–5 | Seely, Kenzie (3-1) | Niedenthal, Cameron (2-2) | | ESPN+ | 246 | 8–19 | 1–1 |
| Mar. 12 | at Northwestern State | | Lady Demon Diamond • Natchitoches, LA | 6–1 | Ruiz, Aaliyah (3-6) | Denton, Ryleigh (2-3) | | ESPN+ | 187 | 9–19 | 2–1 |
| Mar. 17 | Southeastern Louisiana | | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 2–6 | Ladner, KK (1-0) | Niedenthal, Cameron (2-3) | | ESPN+ | 422 | 9–20 | 2–2 |
| Mar. 17 | Southeastern Louisiana | | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 7–14 | Blanchard, Cera (10-3) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (3-7) | | ESPN+ | 422 | 9–21 | 2–3 |
| Mar. 18 | Southeastern Louisiana | | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 6–2 | Ruiz, Aaliyah (4-7) | Comeaux, MC (3-2) | | ESPN+ | 402 | 10–21 | 3–3 |
| Mar. 21 | Texas Southern* | | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| Mar. 28 | at Texas A&M* | 21 | Davis Diamond • College Station, TX | 2–3 | Leavitt, Emily (7-4) | Niedenthal, Cameron (2-4) | | SECN+ | 1,073 | 10–22 | |
| Mar. 31 | McNeese | | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 4–7 | Vallejo, Ashley (7-7) | Mitchell, Karyana (4-10) | Tate, Whitney (1) | ESPN+ | 410 | 10–23 | 3–4 |
| Mar. 31 | McNeese | | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 2–4 | Sanders, Shaelyn (4-0) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (4-8) | Davis, Lindsay (3) | ESPN+ | 394 | 10–24 | 3–5 |
April (7–8) :
| Date | Opponent | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | SLC Record |
| Apr. 1 | McNeese | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 0–12 (5 inn) | Tate, Whitney (12-2) | Niedenthal, Cameron (2-5) | | ESPN+ | 455 | 10–25 | 3–6 |
| Apr. 5 | at Southern* | Lady Jaguar Field • Baton Rouge, LA | 1–2 | Raquel Latta (3-4) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (4-9) | Kairah Williams (1) | | 43 | 10–26 | |
| Apr. 6 | at Nicholls | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 4–5 | McNeill, Audrey (8-6) | Niedenthal, Cameron (2-6) | | ESPN+ | 87 | 10–27 | 3–7 |
| Apr. 6 | at Nicholls | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 10–0 (5 inn) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (5-9) | Yoo, Molly (10-6) | | ESPN+ | 87 | 11–27 | 4–7 |
| Apr. 7 | at Nicholls | Swanner Field at Geo Surfaces Park • Thibodaux, LA | 0–1 | McNeill, Audrey (9-6) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (5-10) | | ESPN+ | 66 | 11–28 | 4–8 |
| Apr. 14 | at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX | 0–1 | Aholelei, Primrose (14-9) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (5-11) | | ESPN+ | | 11–29 | 4–9 |
| Apr. 14 | at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX | 3–2 | Mitchell, Karyana (5-10) | Hoyt, Sydney (2-4) | | ESPN+ | | 12–29 | 5–9 |
| Apr. 15 | at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | Chapman Field • Corpus Christi, TX | 1–5 | Aholelei, Primrose (15-9) | Niedenthal, Cameron (2-7) | | ESPN+ | 279 | 12–30 | 5–10 |
| Apr. 21 | Houston Christian | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 3–2 | Ruiz, Aaliyah (6-11) | Janes, Katy (6-10) | | ESPN+ | 445 | 13–30 | 6–10 |
| Apr. 21 | Houston Christian | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 2–6 (9 inn) | Swanson, Lyndie (9-6) | Niedenthal, Cameron (2-8) | | ESPN+ | 463 | 12–31 | 6–11 |
| Apr. 22 | Houston Christian | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 4–3 | Ruiz, Aaliyah (6-10) | Grofman, Ronni (5-3) | | ESPN+ | 500 | 13–31 | 7–11 |
| Apr. 25 | Texas Southern* | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 3–1 | Ruiz, Aaliyah (8-11) | Melonie Guardiola (2-5) | | ESPN+ | 542 | 14–31 | |
| Apr. 28 | at Incarnate Word | H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX | 9–0 (5 inn) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (9-11) | GUNTHER, A (0-0) | | ESPN+ | 52 | 15–31 | 8–11 |
| Apr. 28 | at Incarnate Word | H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX | 8–1 | Ruiz, Aaliyah (10-11) | GARCIA, A (0-0) | | ESPN+ | 72 | 16–31 | 9–11 |
| Apr. 29 | at Incarnate Word | H-E-B Field • San Antonio, TX | 0–9 (5 inn) | FLOYD, M (3-6) | Mitchell, Karyana (5-11) | | ESPN+ | 145 | 17–32 | 9–12 |
May (3-0) :
| Date | Opponent | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | TV | Attendance | Overall record | SLC Record |
| May 5 | Texas A&M–Commerce | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 7–0 | Ruiz, Aaliyah (11-11) | Sanchez, J. (7-14) | ESPN+ | 300 | 18–32 | 10–12 |
| May 5 | Texas A&M–Commerce | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 6–4 | Ruiz, Aaliyah (12-11) | Sanchez, J. (7-15) | ESPN+ | 397 | 19–32 | 11–12 |
| May 6 | Texas A&M–Commerce | Lamar Softball Complex • Beaumont, TX | 2–1 | Ruiz, Aaliyah (13-11) | Sanchez, J. (7-16) | ESPN+ | 397 | 20–32 | 12–12 |
Post-season (2–2) :
Southland Tournament (2–2) :
| Date | Opponent | (Seed)/Rank | Site/stadium | Score | Win | Loss | Save | TV | Attendance | Overall record | Tournament record |
| May 9 | vs. (5) Texas A&M–Corpus Christi | (4) | Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA | 2–3 | Aholelei, Primrose (19-12) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (13-12) | | ESPN+ | | 20–31 | 0–1 |
| May 11 | vs. (6) Northwestern State | (4) | Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA | 5–4 | Ruiz, Aaliyah (13-11) | Darr, Maggie (12-10) | Ben Karim, Fadwa (1) | ESPN+ | | 21–33 | 1–1 |
| May 12 | vs. (3) Nicholls | (4) | Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA | 5–4 | Ruiz, A (15-12) | Yoo, Molly (13-12) | | ESPN+ | | 23–33 | 2–1 |
| May 12 | vs. (2) Southeastern Louisiana | (4) | Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond • Lake Charles, LA | 0–8 (5 inn) | DuBois, Ellie (3-0) | Ruiz, Aaliyah (15-13) | | ESPN+ | 363 | 22–34 | 2–2 |
    Schedule Source:
*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the NFCA/USA Softball poll.