BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University steps away from Southland Conference play Wednesday for an instate battle against Rice. It will be the first of consecutive Wednesday midweek contests against the Owls that will have Big Red travel to Houston next week.
 
The Cardinals have won 11 of their last 13 and entering the week with a 34-8 (.810) overall record. Lamar is coming off an impressive week where they swept a series over UIW shutting down the Southland's second-best offense. The league's other Cardinals came into the series hitting .305 but the Cards' staff held them to a combined seven runs for the three games outscoring UIW, 22-7.
 
The Owls (17-26/.395) have had a tough 2024 year but seem to be playing their best ball as they prepare to enter the final month of the regular season. As they look to make a late-season surge in the American Athletic Conference standings, the Owls have won five of their last six contests.
 
The series between the two schools dates back to the 1952 season with the Owls holding a 50-86 (.368) all-time record, a mark that includes a five-game lead for the Owls in Beaumont. The Owls took both meetings in the series last season and have won three straight.
 
The Cardinals have found a great deal of success in non-conference games this season boasting a 22-5 (.815) record which includes a 6-3 mark in midweek showdowns. Wednesday's game will also be played in Vincent-Beck Stadium where the Cardinals have been nearly unbeatable this season. The Cardinals have posted a 21-2 record at home during the 2024 campaign.
 
Wednesday's contest is slated for a 6 p.m. start and will be streamed live on ESPN+.