BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals are scheduled to face five opponents at this weekend's season-opening Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores, Alabama, if they can overcome another foe in Mother Nature.
 
The Cardinals, who went 34-31 last season as they made their first-ever appearance in a national postseason tournament, are slated to face Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Lipscomb and Ole Miss this weekend starting with a contest against Virginia Tech at 7 p.m. Thursday, in a game that was moved up a day because of the threat of rain in the area. However, the weather could have a big impact on this weekend's tourney, with the forecast calling for an 80 percent chance of rain on Friday, a 100 percent chance on Saturday and a 90 percent chance on Sunday.
 
"We're certainly hoping we play," LU coach Holly Bruder said. "I'm not afraid of a challenge. Playing teams like that doesn't scare me. The lack of effort or a bad attitude would scare me, but I don't think our team is going to do that."
 
Bruder is aware that all five games could present a challenge for her young team. The Cards are slated to meet two teams from the ACC (Virginia Tech an Georgia Tech), two teams from the SEC (Ole Miss and Alabama) and one from the Atlantic Sun (Lipscomb). All five opponents had a respectable RPI last season.
 
Alabama, which was 46-18 last season, had an RPI of 14, just ahead of Ole Miss (43-20), which finished with an RPI of 19. Lipscomb (36-20) posted an RPI of 52. Georgia Tech (19-39) had an RPI of 155, just ahead of Virginia Tech (19-34), which had a 159. The Cardinals finished with an RPI of 102.
 
"You know when you enter tournaments like this, you are going to face some good teams," Bruder said. "We know it won't be easy, but these games will help us get better."
 
The 2018 Cardinals are young, with nine newcomers and eight players who are in their second season with LU.
 
"We have a lot of new faces and a lot of inexperience, but I love what we're doing," Bruder said. "I love the attitude, I love the learning. We're just young."
 
The Cardinals have a trio of second-team preseason All-Southland Conference selections in senior right-handed pitcher Laura Napoli, senior outfielder Corina Thornton and junior second baseman Kelly Meeuwsen. Napoli, who already holds the LU career record for wins, will be counted upon heavily this season.
 
"Laura has proven to be the ace. She's going to get a lot of innings in the circle," Bruder said. "We are going to be very strategic has to how and when we throw her. We have to develop our other pitchers as well. I like the way our pitching staff has come along."
 
Meeuwsen is LU's top returning hitter. Meeuwsen hit .306 last season with one home run and 30 RBIs. Thornton batted .271 with no home runs and 16 RBIs.
 
Bruder had high praise for sophomore Shelby Henderson, who has emerged as a leader on the field and in the locker room. Henderson hit .210 as a freshman 2017, with one home run and 28 RBIs.
 
"Shelby has really stepped up. She came back in phenomenal shape," Bruder said. "She can play first or third or catch. Right now, she's our best hitter and our best leader."
 
Following this weekend, the Cardinals compete next weekend at the UTSA Tournament before opening the home schedule at 2 p.m. Feb. 19 with a doubleheader against the Washington Huskies, who are ranked fourth in the preseason USA Today/NFCA Coaches preseason poll.
 
TICKETS: For single-game or season tickets, please call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE. The Montagne Center ticket office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. LU students receive free admission to home games with their Cardinal One card, while Junior Cardinal Club members are admitted for free when they present their membership badge.