BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University softball team opens its 2019 home schedule this Friday, Saturday and Sunday when they host the Cardinal Classic at the LU Softball Complex. Lamar will play Friday at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
 
There will be 11 games played in the Cardinal Classic. For the complete schedule, click here.
 
Along with watching Cardinal Softball, fans will in attendance to the LU games on Friday will receive a free LU Softball Schedule T-Shirt and Kona Ice Treats, while supplies last. For all three dates, LU will be giving away the 2019 Team Poster and have dollar hotdogs and two-dollar popcorn tubs. Jr. Cardinals get in free admission with their badge.
 
The complete schedule for the Cardinals can be seen below:
Feb. 22 - LU vs. Rhode Island, 5 p.m.
Feb. 22 - LU vs. Maine, 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 23 - LU vs. Rhode Island, 12:30 p.m.
Feb. 23 - LU vs. Maine, 3 p.m.
Feb. 24 - LU vs. UTSA, 11:30 a.m.
Feb. 24 - LU vs. Austin Peay, 2 p.m.
 
About the Opponents
Rhode Island
Rhode Island enters the Cardinal Classic with a record of 2-3 on the season. The Rams are coming off a weekend where they went 2-3 at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Seahawk Softball Bash to start the season. Rhode Island dropped its last game of the tournament, 9-6, to UNC Wilmington. Sami Villarreal and Faith Musselwhite lead the team with a batting average of .533 on the season. Musselwhite had a team-high two home runs and six RBIs on the season. As a team, the Rams have a team ERA of 5.69 with opponents hitting .307 against them. Becca Rogers leads the team with a 4.20 ERA and 10 strikeouts.
 
Maine
This weekend marks the first weekend the Black Bears will be in action. Maine was picked to finish fourth in America East play this season. Last season, the Black Bears finished 22-25, including a 9-7 mark in America East play. The Black Bears knocked off No. 6 UMBC and No. 5 Binghamton in the America East Tournament before dropping their second game of the tournament, this time to No. 3 Stony Brook. In all, the Black Bears return 12 letter winners from their 2018 squad while welcoming in 10 newcomers.
 
UTSA
The Road Runners enter the Cardinal Classic with a record of 4-6 on the season, including winning its last two games. In its two-game win streak, UTSA defeated Southeastern Louisiana, 1-0, and Missouri State, 2-1, to finish out play at the Lion Classic II. At the Lion Classic II, the Road Runner went 3-2 on the weekend. Celeste Loughman leads the team with a .353 batting average over the first ten games of the season. Bailee Baldwin leads the team with six RBI. As a team, the Road Runners have it five home runs this season. In the circle, the Road Runners have pitched three girls, led by Madison Nelson. Nelson has an ERA of 2.03 and a record of 3-3 on the season. She has pitched 41.1 innings on the season.
 
Austin Peay
Austin Peay will play in the final game of the Cardinal Classic against the Cards. The Govs will make an appearance in Beaumont after playing a three-game set against McNeese. Entering this weekend, the Govs are 5-5 on the season. Kelsey Gross leads the Govs at the Plate as she has a team-high .455 batting average. Kacy Acree has driving in a team-high 11 runs and has hit two home runs. Gross also lead the Govs pitching staff as she has an ERA of 1.87 on the season. Morgan Rackel has a record of 3-3 and five complete games on the season and a team-high 35 strikeouts.
 
What's Next
Following the Cardinal Classic, the Cards hit the road for a three game-set with Creighton in Omaha, Neb. LU will play a doubleheader on Saturday, March 2 starting at 12 p.m. The series concludes with a single game on Sunday, March 3 starting at 12 p.m.
 
Tickets
For tickets for LU home games, 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.
 
Fans can stay tuned to LamarCardinals.com or @LamarAthletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram all season long for updates on women's basketball and all other LU teams competing in the 2018-19 season.