HUNTSVILLE — The Sam Houston softball team will open the 2025 season with the Bearkat Classic on their new turf at Bearkat Softball Complex this weekend.
Play for the weekend 12-game, 4-day event will begin on Thursday with a game between Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and New Mexico. The Kats will then follow with their 2025 debut in the nightcap vs the Lobs, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
There is a new look to the Bearkat Softball Complex this year as they underwent another significant upgrade in the fall of 2024 when field turf was installed throughout the facility. You can read more on the upgrades on the facility page.
The Bearkats are coming off a 20-30 (8-15 CUSA) season in 2024, finishing seventh in Conference USA. The team graduated eight seniors but reloaded with six transfers and four freshmen.
Head coach Garret Valis bolstered the roster by adding players such catcher Bella Perez from McNeese, who was named to the 2025 CUSA Preseason Team. Other transfers include pitchers Kendall Daniel (Tarleton) and Makenzi Jenkins (McLennan CC), along with former MCC outfielders Kyla Heine and Samantha Greater, and utility player Chesnee Faile.
Sam Houston returns Elia Hebel, a power hitter who also earned CUSA Preseason Team honors, along with pitcher Amy Abke, both of whom made a major impact in the circle and at the plate last season.
2025 Bearkat Classic
This will be the fifth consecutive year of the Bearkat Classic. Sam Houston will host New Mexico, A&M-Corpus Christi, Tulsa, Bryant and No. 2 Texas. The tournament will kick off with New Mexico vs TAMUCC on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. Sam Houston will face the Lobos at 5 p.m. to close out day one.
Series History
This will be the first-ever meeting between Sam Houston and New Mexico and Bryant. However, the Bearkats have history with the other three teams:
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No. 2 Texas has dominated the series, leading 20-2, with the Longhorns taking the last matchup 12-2 in Austin on May 3, 2023. The Kats' last win over the Longhorns came in a 2-1 in in the opening round of the 2019 NCAA Austin Regional.
2025 Bearkat Classic Schedule (Tournament Central)
Thursday Feb. 6
New Mexico vs TAMUCC – 2:30 p.m.
New Mexico vs Sam Houston – 5 p.m.
Friday Feb. 7
Tulsa vs TAMUCC – 11:30 a.m.
Bryant vs TAMUCC – 2:00 p.m.
Bryant vs Sam Houston – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday Feb. 8
Tulsa vs Bryant – 10:30 a.m.
TAMUCC vs Bryant - 1:00 p.m.
Tulsa vs Sam Houston - 3:30 p.m.
TAMUCC vs Sam Houston - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday Fab. 9
Bryant vs Tulsa – 9:00 a.m.
Texas vs Tulsa – 11:00 a.m.
Texas vs Sam Houston – 2:00 p.m.
Purchase tickets
Tickets can be purchased by visiting GoBearkats.com/tickets or by calling the Bearkat Ticket Office at 936-294-1729.
Follow the Kats
For updates on Bearkat Softball, be sure to check GoBearkats.com and follow @BearkatsSB on X and @Bearkatssb on Instagram.
