BEAUMONT, Texas – Coming off their best season since 2013, the Lamar University Cardinal baseball team will step on field Monday for the start of fall practice. Practice will take place at Vincent-Beck Stadium Monday beginning at 1:30 p.m.
 
The Cardinals preseason camp will run from Oct. 3 through Nov. 18 and will include fall games at Texas A&M (Oct. 15) and at UT Rio Grande Valley (Oct. 29). Big Red will wrap up fall camp with the Fall World Series Nov. 15^th through the 18^th at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
 
Excitement surrounds the program coming off a 37-win campaign that saw the Cardinals finish just a game back of a conference division title and advance into the winners backet of the WAC Championship tournament. Not only was it the most wins for the Red and White since 2013, but it was also the first time since the 2013 that LU had recorded a postseason win as well. The Cardinals won 10 series last season – including Rice and Sam Houston (twice) – and four series sweeps.
 
The Cardinals return six starters from last season including catcher Ryan Snell, designated hitter Josh Blankenship, infielders Kirkland Banks, Kevin Bermudez and Ethan Ruiz and outfielder Ben MacNaughton.
 
In addition to the returning starters, the Cardinals also landed another national caliber recruiting class according to Collegiate Baseball. Considered the top incoming class in the Southland Conference, Collegiate Baseball also recognized LU's class with honorable mention consideration when ranking their top 50 recruiting classes of 2022.
 
The Cardinals class consists of 29 players and includes 14 pitchers (11 RHP/3 LHP), seven outfielders, five infielders, two catchers, one shortstop and one first baseman, with several players listed at multiple positions. It marks the fifth consecutive season that LU has landed a nationally ranked signing class.