Exciting SLC Tournament Kickoff: Huskies Face Lamar in Thrilling Matchup – Houston Christian University Athletics

EDINBURG, Texas – HCU Baseball is gearing up to kick off the 2025 Southland Conference Tournament as the No. 6 seed. They’ll face third-seeded Lamar on Thursday, May 15, at 1:00 p.m. in Edinburg.

The Huskies (27-23, 17-13 SLC) wrapped up their season sixth in the SLC standings. Surprisingly, they were predicted to finish 10th in the preseason polls. This marks their first postseason appearance since 2022.

Last weekend, HCU faced Lamar in a crucial three-game series, where Lamar swept the Huskies. However, HCU bounced back with a 6–3 win against Sam Houston on May 13.

Several players stood out for HCU this season. Rhett Hendricks, who earned second-team all-conference honors, led the team with a .328 batting average and a .519 slugging percentage, boosting his average to .356 during SLC play. Parker Edwards shone brightly, leading the team in RBIs (44), home runs (9), and total bases (93). He also tied for second place in the school’s all-time home runs, reaching 28. On the base paths, Kenneth Dutka excelled, leading with 63 hits, 39 runs, and 10 stolen bases. Pitcher Joshua Caravalho achieved a team-high of eight wins, ranking him second in the conference.

Lamar brings a strong team led by Damian Ruiz, who hit an impressive .395 with 75 runs scored. He was named SLC Hitter of the Year. Other top performers include Brayden Evans, who contributed 54 RBIs and nine home runs, and pitcher Peyton Havard, who led the team with 76 strikeouts.

This year’s tournament also highlights an upward trend in college baseball participation, with a 10% increase in teams compared to last year, according to the NCAA. This reflects the growing interest in college baseball across the country.

The Huskies and Cardinals will compete in the Edinburg Bracket, alongside No. 2 seed UT Rio Grande Valley and No. 7 seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The winner from this bracket will progress to a best-of-three championship series next week, creating an exciting atmosphere for fans and players alike.

As the tournament unfolds, it will be interesting to see how social media buzz and fan engagement evolve. Following team hashtags and live updates can offer a lively layer to the experience.

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