BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University places its perfect 5-0 record on the line Friday when they open a stretch of three games against three different opponents, all in non-conference action, against former and current conference opponents.
 
Fresh off wins over No. 5 Texas A&M and Kansas State, the Cardinals will look to keep the streak alive Friday when they step on the field to face 2022 NCAA tournament participant New Mexico State (11 a.m.). It's been a tough start to the season for the Aggies who dropped a three-game set to Bellarmine (in Las Cruces). Friday's contest will be NMSU's first game since Sunday.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series, 5-2 (.714), over NMSU but Friday represents the first game between the two played at a neutral site. The Cardinals have also won three straight in the series but it will be the first meeting since the 2015 season. The two schools were conference rivals for one season but didn't meet on the field in 2022.
 
The following day, Big Red will go from one former conference rival to another as they will face Stephen F. Austin at 7 p.m. The Lumberjacks are 1-4 (.200) on the season. SFA bounced back from dropping a four-game series to Kansas State over the weekend by defeating Alcorn State, 11-1 Tuesday in Nacogdoches.
 
The series, which dates back to the 1979 season, has swung heavily in favor of LU. The Cardinals own a 74-27 (.733) all-time record, but the two have never met on a neutral site. Big Red won the season series last year taking five of the six meetings. The Cardinals have won eight of the last nine games dating back to the 2021 season. Saturday's game is slated for a 7 p.m. first pitch.
 
The Cardinals will close out the Sugar Land Classic Sunday evening against Houston Christian. Sunday's game – which is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch – will be a non-conference contest. The Huskies have also opened the season with four very tough games. HCU dopped a three-game series at UT Rio Grande Valley before falling at Baylor.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series, 32-23 (.582), over HCU. The two teams met twice last year with the Huskies taking both games. Prior to those two losses, the Cardinals had won six of seven. Sunday's game is set for a 6 p.m. start. All three games will be played at Constellation Field in Sugar Land.