BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University returns to the diamond Friday to put its nine-game win streak on the line against Pennsylvania. The Cardinals, who are quite literally off to the best start in school history, tied the program record Tuesday evening with a 11-2 victory over Alcorn State at Vincent-Beck. Just one of nine remaining undefeated teams on the season, the 2023 squad will look to claim a piece of LU history all for itself Friday when it faces a very talented Penn squad.
 
Representing the Ivy League, the Quakers are 0-3 on the season, but don't be fooled by the record. Penn opened the year against NCAA powerhouse, and the nation's 23^rd ranked team, South Carolina, and gave the Gamecocks all they could handle. All three games were decided by three runs or fewer with games two and three being decided by a single run.
 
As a team, the Quakers are hitting .204 on the young season but have four players batting over .300 (one of those has only played in two games with just three at-bats), but South Carolina could only muster a .220 batting average against Penn's staff. The Quakers staff has posted a 5.25 ERA through the first three games of the season.
 
The Cardinals staff has posted a 2.28 ERA through nine games, while holding opponents to a .208 batting average. Lamar's staff has also struck out 76 batters on the year.
 
Offensively, the reigning Southland Hitter of the Week, senior Ryan Snell, leads the Cardinals into the three-game series. The Hardin, Texas native is coming off a week where he went 7-for-19 (.368) at the plate with four doubles, three home runs and seven RBIs while leading the Cardinals to five wins, including No. 5 Texas A&M, Kansas State and 2022 NCAA tournament participant New Mexico State.
 
An argument could also be made for senior Ben MacNaughton for player of the week honors as well. The Edmond, Okla., native leads the team with a .370 batting average and with four runs scored. He is also a perfect 6-of-6 in stolen base attempts.
 
Despite the outcome of Friday's contest, a small bit of history will be made when the two teams step on the field. It will mark the first time the two schools have met on the diamond.
 
All three games will be played at Vincent-Beck Stadium. Friday's game is slated for a 6 p.m. first pitch, with Saturday getting under way 2 p.m. The series will close Sunday with a 1 p.m. first pitch. All three games will streamed live on ESPN+.