For one team, it will be good to see home. For the other, it will be good to see sunshine.

But for both Lawrence’s Raiders and Outlaws baseball teams, this weekend’s Lawrence Invitational Tournament will be a chance to experience quality competition right in their own backyards.

The Raiders (6-2) have not yet experienced the comforts of home, seeing a game last week in Lawrence rained out.

“It’ll be nice to not get in the car and have to travel to Manhattan or Topeka,” Raiders coach Kevin Tucker said. “We’ll enjoy being at home in front of our own fans.”

The Raiders have experienced success despite not playing in Lawrence. The team enters the tournament fresh off an 8-7 comeback victory over Manhattan on Tuesday, with the Raiders scoring three runs in the eighth inning to take the lead for good.

“The guys have a never-say-die attitude right now,” Tucker said. “They’re treating every at-bat like it’s their last, and that’s starting to trickle down to everyone.”

Tucker also has been pleased with the early-season success of his pitchers, which he credits for the team’s fast start.

“Our pitching has been phenomenal,” Tucker said. “Even in the games we’ve lost, it was only three or four pitches that made the difference. All our pitchers have been around the strike zone, which is what we ask of them.”

The Raiders open the tournament with games against Shawnee Mission South at 3 p.m. and Lincoln, Neb., at 8 p.m. today at Free State. The squad will follow with a single game at 8 p.m. Friday and then a pair of games starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday. All the games will be played at Free State High.

Left-hander Max Elenbecker will get the start on the mound in the opener.

Meanwhile, the Lawrence Outlaws will be looking to just get a full tournament played. The team completed two of its guaranteed five games at last weekend’s Baker Classic because of soggy fields.

Much like last week, the Outlaws will need to set their alarms early for their first games. The team takes on Shawnee Mission East at 10 a.m. and Lansing at 12:30 p.m. today at FSHS in the two opening games of the tournament.

The squad also is scheduled for the early game at 10 a.m. Friday.

Nick Ayre and Kyle Cross, who haven’t pitched in over a week because of rainouts, will get the first two starts on the mound for the Outlaws. The team still is looking for its first victory.

“We’d love to get in the win column,” Outlaws coach Brad Romme said, “and we like our chances starting off with two guys on the mound that we have confidence in.”

Romme will start hurlers Josh Moreno and Jack Hull in Friday’s action.

“If our guys give us the outings and efforts they have been giving on the mound, we feel good about being in the games,” Romme said. “As long as we have a chance late, we’re confident that something good will happen.”