BEAUMONT, Texas – In anticipation of expected inclement weather in Natchitoches, La., Lamar University and Northwestern State have agreed to push Thursday's series opener to a 2 p.m. first pitch.
 
The series opener, which has been moved to Thursday – Saturday in honor of the Easter holiday, will be the second game of a pivotal nine-game road swing for the Red and White. The current stretch began Tuesday in Arlington and will include stops at NSU, Rice, UIW and TCU.
 
The Cardinals head to Louisiana looking to reverse the current trend that has seen Big Red drop four of its last five, including a 19-inning marathon loss to conference-foe Nicholls. Even with the recent struggles, the Cardinals are just a game back of first place in the standings tied for fourth overall.
 
Northwestern State opened league play a week later than everyone else and enters the week with a 2-1 conference mark, to go along with its 16-12 overall record. The Demons have won three of their last four game which includes taking a series over New Orleans and a victory over Louisiana Tech Tuesday at home.
 
The series between the two schools dates back to the 1953 season but it is one that favors Lamar, 67-57 (.540). LU has won three of the previous five meetings but the two schools split the two games last year with each team winning on its home field. The Cardinals are 30-30 (.500) all-time on the road in the series, and this weekend will mark 12 of the last 13 meetings being played in Natchitoches.
 
Thursday's game has been moved to a 2 p.m. start, but Friday's contest remains a 6:30 p.m. first pitch. The series will close with a 2 p.m. game Saturday afternoon. All three games will be televised on ESPN+.