Lamar sports information

BEAUMONT — Lamar softball coach Holly Bruder announced Friday that all-state pitcher Aaliyah Ruiz of Beeville’s A.C. Jones High School has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend LU on a softball scholarship starting next season.

Ruiz had an outstanding junior year for A.C. Jones, posting a 17-4 record with a 0.87 ERA. She helped her team win a district championship and a regional championship en route to an appearance in the state tournament for the first time in more than 20 years. Ruiz set a school record with 23 strikeouts in a 1-0, 13-inning win at Cuero High School.

Ruiz was named to the Texas Sports Writers Association All-State first team and the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State Class 4A first team. She was also named pitcher of the year by the Victoria Advocate and the My South Texas All-Star MVP. She has also been named an academic all-district player in each of the last two seasons.

“We were very happy with our recruiting class until we came across Aaliyah, then we knew she had to be a part of our pitching staff next year,” Bruder said. “She has had proven success at a high level, and we have seen her beat some of the biggest recruits in the country. We are so excited to have her as a part of the Cardinal family.”

Ruiz plays travel softball with the Aces Express.

Ruiz is the eighth student-athlete to sign a National Letter of Intent to attend LU on a softball scholarship next season. Utility player Alicia De Leon of Atascocita High, pitcher Regan Dunn of Cuero, catcher Bethany Edwards of Belton, utility player Savana Mata of Pasadena Memorial, shortstop Arianna Perales of Waco University, pitcher Bailey Tindell of Salado and utility player A.J. Williams of Round Rock Cedar Ridge with the Cardinals in November.