BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University returns to Southland Conference action beginning Friday when it opens a three-game series against league-leading UIW. The stay over in San Antonio will be games 6 – 8 on the team's current nine-game road swing.
 
The Cardinals (18-14/4-5 SLC) enter the weekend looking to get back in the win column after dropping four of their last five. Currently in the midst of their toughest stretch of the season, Big Red is currently tied for sixth in the league standings, but just two games back of UIW for the overall lead. In fact, the entire league is separated by just 2.5 games. 
 
Maybe not one of the preseason favorites, the league's other Cardinals have been one of the storylines of the season to this point. Winners in five of their last six games, and eight of its last 11, the Southland's other Cardinals have been able to force their way into first place. UIW has yet to sweep a league opponent but they've won all three conference series to this point. 
 
The bad guys are hitting .288 on the season with 47 doubles, 36 home runs and 200 RBIs. As a team UIW is slugging .442. As a pitching staff, UIW has posted a 4.97 earned run average (1.42 WHIP) with 264 strikeouts to 122 walks.
 
Led by the league's top slugger, Ryan Snell, Big Red his hitting .249 on the year with 62 doubles, 25 home runs and 154 stolen bases. The Cardinals have also been aggressive on the base paths swiping 41-of-51 bases (.804).
 
As a staff, the Cardinals have posted a 4.30 earned run average with a 1.31 WHIP. The Cardinals have struck out 281 batters to 121 walks and are holding opponents to a .242 batting average.
 
Lamar leads the all-time series over UIW, 10-6, in a series that dates back to the 2015 season. LU has found some success on the road in the series. The Cardinals are 6-4 (.600) all-time against UIW in San Antonio.
 
All three games of the series will be streamed live on ESPN+. Friday's game is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. with Saturday set for a 2 p.m. start and Sunday a 1 p.m. start.