BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University baseball teams opens an eight-game stretch away from Beaumont when they travel to Houston, Texas Thursday to begin a four-game series against Houston Baptist. The series against the Huskies is slated for one game Thursday (2 p.m.), followed by a doubleheader Friday (11 a.m./2 p.m.) and will close with the final game of the series Saturday (1 p.m.).
 
The Cardinals hit the road looking to get back in the win column after a tough stretch last week against Southeastern Louisiana. Big Red dropped all four games to fall to 10-8 (.556) on the season and 2-6 (.250) in Southland Conference play. It was heartbreaking weekend for the Red and White that saw two of the losses being of the one-run variety, including a rally to force extras Sunday only to fall short.
 
Big Red enters the week 12^th in the conference standings just two games back of Houston Baptist, but tied in terms of winning percentage. LU holds a 0.5 game lead over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
Houston Baptist had a tough start to the 2021 season but has been slowly turning things around. After a season-opening victory over Rice the Huskies dropped their next eight games before picking up a victory over UL Lafayette in the series finale. HBU has split its last six decisions and is coming off a 6-2 victory at Nicholls on Sunday.
 
The Cardinals lead the all-time series over HBU, 29-20 (.592), a record that includes a 10-6 (.625) mark against the Huskies in Houston. Big Red has had the upper hand lately winning the previous three meetings and four of the last seven. The two teams did not meet in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
 
The Huskies will send Austin Spinney (LHP/0-2, 4.26) to the mound Thursday, with Jacob Coats (RHP/0-4, 6.07) taking the mound in the first game Friday followed by Tyler Zarella (RHP/0-3, 9.69) in the second game. HBU has not decided on their Saturday starter. LU will counter with Trevin Michael (RHP/1-1, 2.29), Zach Bravo (RHP/2-1, 3.00) and Josh Ekness (RHP/0-1, 5.25). LU has not yet listed their Saturday starter.
 
All four games will be played from Husky Field with first pitch for Thursday's game slated for 2 p.m.