The News staff report
As suspected, the softball season is not over for Lamar.
It was announced Sunday that the Cardinals will host a four-team regional in the National Invitational Softball Championship tournament, softball’s equivalent to the National Invitation Tournament for basketball.
Lamar (28-28) was announced as one of four teams selected at-large for the 26-team tournament. Seven others qualified based on their national Ratings Power Index, while 15 were invited as the highest-finishing teams in their respective conferences not to be picked for the NCAA tournament.
Lamar will take on Louisiana-Monroe at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the LU Softball Complex in the first round of the double-elimination regional. Action in the regional begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday when Abilene Christian faces off against UT Arlington.
This is Lamar’s first national postseason appearance in program history. The Cardinals’ softball program restarted in 2013 after being dormant for 26 years.
There are six regionals set for this week. The champion out of each will play in the national rounds at a site to be determined later this month.
The Cardinals accepted a spot in the NISC shortly after their run in the Southland Conference tournament came to an end.
Lamar season-ticket holders have until noon Tuesday to purchase their season reserved seats before they go on sale to the general public. Tickets are $12 per day for reserved seats and $10 per day for general admission. Three-day ticket books are $30 for reserved and $25 for general admission. College studentrs with a valid ID may purchase one-day tickets for $5 each. Children 12 and under do not need a ticket unless they are in reserved seating.
To purchase tickets: 880-1715, lamarcardinals.com or at the Montagne Center ticket office.