*** UPDATE - Due to inclement weather expected Friday and Saturday, portions of the 2018 Cardinal Classic have been rescheduled. The new schedule is as follows:

*Home team designated second
Friday
11:00 a.m. : Missouri State vs Texas Southern
45 minutes following the conclusion of Game 1: Illinois vs Missouri State
45 minutes following the conclusion of Game 2: Illinois at Lamar
 
Saturday will be used to finish any games from Friday if necessary
 
Sunday
10:00 a.m. : Missouri State vs Illinois
45 minutes following the conclusion of Game 1: Texas Southern at Lamar
45 minutes following the conclusion of Game 2: Texas Southern at Lamar

BEAUMONT, Texas – After all the Fall World Series games, recruiting trips, pre-season awards, scrimmages, and weeks of practice, it's finally time for what Cardinal Baseball fans have been waiting for. Lamar University's 2018 season opens Friday with the Cardinal Classic. Big Red will host Illinois, Missouri State, and Texas Southern this weekend to open the 2018 campaign.

"Obviously we're really excited. This is why we do this," said head coach Will Davis. "We don't have a college baseball team just to practice, and Lord knows we've had enough of those. We're excited to be playing someone different and begin this long journey."

Originally scheduled for two games apiece on Friday, Feb. 16 through Sunday, Feb. 18, impending weather is now expected to make several changes to the itinerary. A final decision on the new schedule should be announced on LamarCardinals.com by 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15.

"You try not to think about the weather, but it's obviously a factor," said Davis. "We could have some pretty wet conditions in the outfield and it's just one of those things we'll have to fight through. We'll adjust, and the goal is to get in all three games for all four teams."

Fourteen Cardinals return from a 2017 squad that went 33-25 overall and 16-14 in conference play, including Tanner Driskill, named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year watch list and an All-Southland player by Perfect Game, Grant DeVore, a Preseason All-SLC Second Team member, and Robin Adames, a former Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and Big Red's hits leader last season (78 hits). Adames was also named to the Preseason All-Southland Conference Second Team. Cole Coker, who had 38 starts last season and figures to play a significant role this year, was named a top prospect for the 2019 MLB Draft by Perfect Game.

20 members of the 2016 recruiting class, the highest-ranked recruiting class in the Southland, will be expected to contribute immediately when they make their Cardinal debuts on Friday. Of the newcomers to LU, several have already received national attention, including Kristjan Storrie, who was named a 2018 top draft prospect from the Southland by both Perfect Game and D1 Baseball. The right-handed pitcher from Langley, B.C., played junior college ball at Galveston College in 2016 and 2017 before transferring to Lamar to complete his collegiate baseball career. The junior finished his days in Galveston with a 6-6 record and 14 saves. He pitched 51.1 innings, striking out 58 batters.

Other top prospects include Grason Wright (2019 Perfect Game Top Prospect), Rhett McCall (2020 Perfect Game Top Prospect), and Cole Secrest (Bragan Slugger watch list).

"I don't think it's going to win us anything, but I think it's nice for our guys to be recognized for their talent," continued Davis. "I think it's obvious we have a lot of talent on this team. We have a lot of new players, so having that talent come together will be a big factor in this season's success."

Lamar vs. Illinois

Series Record
Lamar vs. Illinois: Illinois leads 5-2
Lamar vs. Illinois at Vincent-Beck: Illinois leads 5-2
Lamar vs. Illinois at Illinois: N/A
Lamar vs. Illinois at Neutral Site: N/A

Probable Starters: #41 RHP Jace Campbell (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. #7 RHP Tyler Weber (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Illinois had won all five previous meetings with the Cardinals heading into the 2017 season, but that streak came to an end on Feb. 18 when Lamar won 15-9. Big Red then made a streak of its own the following day, winning 2-1 over the Fighting Illini on Feb. 19. Coach Davis is the only Lamar skipper to have won a game against Illinois.

Dan Hartleb has been the head coach of Illinois since the 2006 season, and has almost 400 wins in that span, including all five of Illinois' previous wins over Lamar. The coaching veteran has led Illini to two regular season and one tournament Big Ten championships, as well as three NCAA Regionals and a Super Regional in his 50-win 2015 season.

Illinois had a bit of a disappointing year in 2017, finishing under .500 for the first time under Hartleb and missing the Big Ten tournament for the second consecutive season. But a veteran presence returns from that squad, including 83 percent of last year's wins and 76 percent of innings pitched. Also coming back is junior Jack Yalowitz, who was a First Team All-Big Ten selection after hitting .335 with 12 homers and 44 RBIs. For a more in-depth preview of Illinois, read "Ten Things to Know about Illini Baseball" on fightingillini.com, written by Illinois assistant director of athletics communications Brett Moore.

Lamar vs. Missouri State

Series Record
Lamar vs. Missouri State: Lamar leads 2-1
Lamar vs. Missouri State at Vincent-Beck: Tied 1-1
Lamar vs. Missouri State at Missouri State: N/A
Lamar vs. Missouri State at Neutral Site: Lamar leads 1-0

Probable Starters: #32 LHP Noah Sills (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. #10 RHP Dylan Coleman (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Lamar holds a 2-1 edge in the all-time series against Missouri State, but the record at The Beck is split evenly, 1-1. The Bears are coached by Keith Guttin, who is entering his 36th season as the main man in Springfield. Guttin has won 1,219 games, ninth-most among active NCAA Division 1 baseball coaches.

The Bears enter the 2018 season ranked as high as #22 in national polls after a 43-win season and an appearance at the NCAA Fort Worth Super Regional. MSU has won 130 games in the last three seasons with two NCAA Regional appearances, the winningest three-year period in program history.
Four Bears were selected for the Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference team, including All-Americans Jeremy Eierman and Jake Fromson, as well as Dylan Coleman and Hunter Steinmetz. MSU's four preseason honorees was a league high, and the Bears were picked to finish second in the MVC preseason poll.

Lamar vs. Texas Southern

Series Record
Lamar vs. Texas Southern: Lamar leads 25-3
Lamar vs. Texas Southern at Vincent-Beck: Lamar leads 22-3
Lamar vs. Texas Southern at Texas Southern: Lamar leads 3-0
Lamar vs. Texas Southern at Neutral Site: N/A

Probable Starters: TBA vs. TBA

One of Lamar's most familiar opponents in 2018, this will be the 29th meeting between the Cardinals and Texas Southern; LU holds a 25-3 advantage over the Tigers, including 22-3 at home. TSU is coached by SWAC legend Michael Robertson, who is entering his 10th year with Texas Southern and his 16th season as a head coach in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (previously at Prairie View A&M). Robertson has a 388-420 record overall and a 225-249 record at Texas Southern.

The Tigers finished 2017 with a 20-34 record overall and a 14-10 conference record, making the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional after winning the SWAC Tournament. They return several key starters, including SWAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year Michael Villanueva and Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Gaudencio Lucca. Also represented on the All-SWAC teams were Blake Hicks, Olajide Oloruntimilehin, Seth Oliver, Christian Sanchez, and Kamren Dukes. The Tigers were picked to win the West Division of the SWAC with seven first-place votes.