BEAUMONT, Texas – The last remaining team to start Southland Conference play, the Lamar University Cardinals will place their 8-2 (.800) record on the line Friday when the open league play against Central Arkansas. Winners in four of the past five games, the Cardinals bring the Southland's best overall winning percentage into the Southland opener.
 
The Cardinals have come to this point behind strong pitching, solid defense and timely hitting. Big Red currently owns the nation's third-best earned run average (1.94), but even that number is skewed because the nation's leader – LIU – has played only one game. Through 10 games the Cardinals have recorded four shutouts – including one over then home run leader Houston – in addition to two one-run games.
 
When the Cardinals have gotten to the ninth inning with the lead it has been lights out, as LU has turned the ball over to local product – Jack Dallas – who has come in and been a perfect 5-of-5 on save opportunities. Dallas is currently tied for tops in the nation in terms of saves.
 
Games now take on more significance as the schedule turns to the second part of the season – conference play. Big Red will open the year against Central Arkansas who has posted a 5-6 (.455) overall record and is currently tied for fifth in the league after splitting their SLC opener with Abilene Christian.
 
As a team, the Bears are fourth in the league hitting .256 with three home runs and 15 doubles on the season but rank second in the league in terms of on-base percentage. Similar to LU, the Bears don't make mistakes defensively leading the league with a .985 fielding percentage.
 
Through 10 games, the Cardinals are batting .249 with six home runs and 10 doubles. The Cardinals enter Southland play with a .320 on-base percentage and rank third in the league in fielding.
 
Big Red's pitching staff leads the Southland in terms of ERA, shutouts, saves, is second in hits allowed and opponent's batting average and fifth in strikeouts.
 
The Cardinals trail the all-time series to Central Arkansas, 17-14 (.548), and the Bears have won three of the past four, but the two teams didn't get a chance to play last season due to the COVID shutdown.
 
The first game of the four-game series is slated for a 6 p.m. start Saturday from Vincent-Beck Stadium. Saturday's doubleheader has the first game set for a 1 p.m. followed by a 4 p.m. start for the second. Game four will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Friday and Sunday games will be broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI.