BEAUMONT, Texas – The headline underscores the obvious – once Lamar University reached the start of Western Athletic Conference play every series is key, but with six games remaining in the regular season the remainder of the scheduled takes on added importance. Especially when considering the Cardinals enter the week in a two-way tie for second in the WAC Southwest Division three games back of Sam Houston, and five games back of overall leader Grand Canyon.
 
The Cardinals (30-19/14-10 WAC) recorded their first 30-win season (since 2017) Tuesday evening in the victory over Southern and clinched a spot in the conference tournament last week with a victory over UT Rio Grande Valley (combined with a Stephen F. Austin loss). The Cardinals still have a shot at a divisional and regular season crown, but they will need some help.
 
Before the Cardinals can focus on the help they need, they must take care of the obstacle directly in front of them – Abilene Christian. The Wildcats enter the week 25-22 (.532) overall and fourth in the Southwest Division but sit just a game back of LU and just four back of the division lead.
 
Big Red enters the week looking for a little consistency having rotated wins and losses in each of their previous seven outings but coming off a 10-1 victory Tuesday over Southern in Beaumont.
 
The Wildcats on the other hand have caught fire all of a sudden winning six of their last eight games dropping their final game of the series at Tarleton State. While ACU has had the upper hand in the series lately they have struggled at home this year currently sitting two games under .500 (13-15) at Crutcher Scott Field. Conversely, the Cardinals have played well on the road this season. LU is two games over .500 in 2022 away from Vincent-Beck Stadium (13-11).
 
The Cardinals own a 24-17 (.585) all-time record over ACU, but the Wildcats have been playing catch up lately, winning 10 of the last 12 meetings, including 2-of-3 in Beaumont earlier this season. The Cardinals 3-2 victory in game two of the series last month put a stop to a seven-game skid in the series – a series which dates back to the 1967 season.
 
The three-game series is slated to get underway Friday with a 6:05 p.m. start from Crutcher Scott Field. The Saturday contest is scheduled for a 3:05 p.m. start with the Sunday game scheduled for 1:05 p.m. All three games will be televised on ESPN+.