BEAUMONT, Texas – The 2023 baseball season will take on added importance when Lamar University steps on the diamond at Vincent-Beck Stadium Friday to open a three-game series against New Orleans.
 
For the Cardinals, the regular season couldn't have started any better tying a school record for consecutive wins to start the year, a streak that included wins over No. 5 Texas A&M, Kansas State and 2022 NCAA tournament participant New Mexico State, but that is the past and Big Red would like for nothing better to have a similar start to Southland Conference play.
 
Unfortunately, Lamar (14-6) opens with a school that has also had a quick start to the 2023. UNO won 12 games during the non-conference portion of the schedule and brings a 12-9 (.571) record with them to Beaumont. The Privateers have posted key wins against Kennesaw State, Tulane and Southern Miss prior to heading to the Golden Triangle.
 
Through their first 21 games, UNO ranks third in the league in hitting with a .279 batting average with 27 home runs and 146 runs batted in. While they are third in the league in walks as a team, the Privateers have been prone to the strike (178). UNO also hangs its hat on defense entering the weekend as the league's highest-rated fielding team (.980 fielding percentage) – while the Cardinals are tied for third in the league in that category (.978).
 
As a team, the Cardinals are hitting .264 on the season with 16 home runs and 101 runs batted in. The offense is led by seniors Ben McNaughton and Ryan Snell. McNaughton is hitting .373 in 16 starts with a .457 on-base percentage and is one of the league leaders in stolen bases having swiped 12 of 13 attempts.
 
A 2023 Johnny Bench Award candidate, Snell currently leads the league in home runs and ranks among the top 10 in doubles, RBIs, slugging percentage and OPS.
 
The all-time series between the two schools dates back to the 1971 season, but UNO has a slight edge in the series. The Privateers are 57-51 (.528) all-time against Lamar, but the Cardinals have had the upper hand recently. The Cardinals have won four of the last five meetings and are four games over .500 against the Privateers in Beaumont. Friday's meeting will be the first matchup since the 2021 season.
 
All three games will broadcast live on ESPN+.