BEAUMONT, Texas – After eight consecutive games away from home to open the season, the Lamar University baseball team will finally get to open the home portion of its schedule Friday beginning a three-game series against UT Arlington. The Cardinals return home after posting a 5-3 mark on the eight-game stretch to start the season and have won three of their last four with the lone setback being at No. 7 Texas A&M Tuesday.
 
After the long road swing to open the year, the schedule now swings in Lamar's favor as they will play 11 of the next 12 at Vincent-Beck Stadium – a place where they finished the year 11 games over .500 last season.
 
Friday's game against UT Arlington will mark the Cardinals first three-game series against same opponent this season as LU has played in two tournaments (Mobile-South Alabama Tournament and the Sugar Land Classic) and two mid-week contests.
 
A former Southland Conference foe, the Mavericks are 3-6 (.333) on the season but looking to right the ship after dropping three straight and four of their last five – with those losses coming to No. 19 Texas Tech, Boston College and Sam Houston.
 
The series between the two schools dates back to the 1969 season, and it is one that has been in favor of Big Red. The Cardinals have posted a 79-42 (.653) all-time record in the series and are 47-25 (.653) all-time against the Mavs in Beaumont. The two schools have split the previous four meetings but LU has won four of the last six.
 
All three games will be broadcast live on ESPN+.