The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Lamar fans will have plenty of chances to show how much they love their Cardinals’ athletic teams this Valentine’s Day weekend.

The fun gets started Thursday as the Lamar men’s and women’s basketball teams host Stephen F. Austin in a Southland Conference doubleheader, with the women’s game tipping off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday is the annual Pink Out game to promote breast-cancer awareness and research. Fans are encouraged to wear pink. In addition, Thursday is Merchant Night, with local businesses having the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets. It’s also Part II of the Student Organization Challenge, with LU student groups competing for cash prizes based on their attendance and creativity in the “Pink Out” theme.

Friday is Valentine’s Day, and the Lamar baseball team opens its 2014 season by hosting Marist at 6:00 p.m. at Vincent-Beck Stadium. The first 200 fans through the gate receive a free 2014 Lamar baseball schedule T-shirt.

Saturday sees the Lamar basketball teams, as well as the baseball team, in action. Basketball hosts Northwestern State in another Southland Conference doubleheader, this one getting under way at 4:00 p.m. with the Lady Cardinals facing the Lady Demons. The men’s game is slated to start at 6:00 p.m. Lamar fan-fans will be distributed prior to both games.

The Lamar baseball team is also in action Saturday, playing two games. The Cardinals host Illinois-Chicago at 2:00 p.m. and Marist at 6:00 p.m.

The weekend wraps up on Sunday as the Lamar baseball team hosts Illinois-Chicago at 2:00 p.m. All youth baseball players wearing their team jersey will receive free admission. There will be a postgame autograph session underneath the grandstand.

For ticket information, call (409) 880-1715, or visit www.LamarCardinals.com. Tickets are also available at the Montagne Center ticket office from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. weekdays. On Saturday, the Montagne Center ticket office opens for basketball tickets at 3:00 p.m. The Vincent-Beck Stadium ticket booth opens one hour prior to first pitch before each game.