BEAUMONT, Texas – After a 36-19 (.655) campaign that saw Lamar University post a 20-10 (.667) record in Western Athletic Conference play and remain in the hunt for a shot at the conference title into the final weekend of the season, the Cardinals now switch their focus to postseason play.  The No. 2 overall seed from the WAC's Southwest Division, the Cardinals take to the field Wednesday to open postseason play against No. 3-seed (WAC West Division) Seattle. Wednesday's game is slated for a 4 p.m. (6 p.m. Central time) first pitch from Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz.
 
The Cardinals finished as the second seed in the West just a game off the pace but closed the season in strong fashion. Big Red enters the tournament as the WAC's hottest team winning seven straight – a stretch that includes two series sweeps to close out the year.
 
Riding the back of five All-WAC performers, the Cardinals won their first five series of the season, and 12 of 15 – a number which includes two series sweeps. The 36-win campaign is the best season for the Red and White since 2013 when the Cardinals won 39 games.
 
The Cardinals will open tournament play with the third seed from the WAC's West Division – the Seattle University Redhawks (16-32/11-19 WAC). The Redhawks head to Mesa looking to reverse the trend from how their season closed dropping five straight. Seattle's minor skid to close out the year came following a stretch that saw them win 5-of-6 which included wins over Washington and Portland.
 
With Wednesday's contest being the first time, the two teams have met this season a quick glance at the stats gives the Cardinals a slight edge at the plate. LU has posted a .288 batting average with 35 home runs, 107 doubles and 20 triples in a pitcher's ballpark, while the Redhawks have posted a .283 average with 42 home runs, 80 doubles and 16 triples.
 
It is a similar story on the pitching side of things. The Cardinals have posted a 4.39 earned run average (1.43 WHIP) with 447 strikeouts to 198 walks. Seattle has recorded a 7.65 ERA this year with a 1.90 WHIP. The Redhawks' staff has struck out 340 batters with 239 walks.
 
Not only will Wednesday's contest be the first meeting between the two teams this season, but it will also be the first meeting between the two schools in series history.
 
The rest of the championship bracket consists of UT Rio Grande Valley (Southwest 3) vs. Sacramento State (West 2) at 9 a.m.; New Mexico State (West 4) vs. Sam Houston (Southwest 1) and Abilene Christian (Southwest 4) vs. Grand Canyon (West 1).
 
Depending on the outcome of Wednesday's game, the Cardinals will face either the winner or loser from ACU vs. Grand Canyon matchup. Should the Cardinals win their opening-round game they will play in the winner's bracket Thursday at 7 p.m. (9 p.m. Central time). The loser's bracket would be Thursday at noon (2 p.m. Central time).
 
Every game of the 2022 WAC Championships will televised live on ESPN+, with every LU contest being broadcast live on Newstalk 560 KLVI, with the Voice of Cardinal Athletics, Harold Mann calling the action.