BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University places the nations' longest active win streak on the line Tuesday when they step on the field to face Houston in a midweek contest. Winners of 13-straight, the Cardinals are slated for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch from Schroeder Park.
 
The Cardinals have posted their longest win streak since the 2016 campaign by riding the back of the league's top pitching staff. The Cardinals (19-4/3-0 SLC) lead the Southland Conference with a 3.30 earned run average while holding opposing teams to a .208 batting average. During the current streak Lamar has posted two shutouts and three one-run victories.
 
In addition to a strong pitching staff, Lamar's bats appear to get stronger each week. The Cardinals have averaged nearly 10 runs per game in the team's last four outings and are coming off a win at Houston Christian that saw Big Red score 11 runs on 12 hits including three long balls to wrap up a series sweep thrusting LU into a tie atop the conference standings. Over the course of the first 23 games, Lamar has scored at least eight runs eight times.
 
Lamar offense is led by four players ranked among the league's top 25 in hitting. River Orsak leads Lamar with a .353 batting average with five home runs and 21 runs batted in – all three numbers rank among the league's top 10.
 
The Cougars are 14-9 (.609) on the season but enter the week after getting swept by Kansas State.
 
The long history between the schools on the diamond dates back to the 1952 season. Houston has had the upper hand in the series posting a 55-32 all-time record, including a 34-14 mark in Houston. Despite those numbers, the series has trended in Lamar's favor recently. The Cardinals have won consecutive games in the series and three of the last four. Lamar returns to the Bayou City looking to win consecutive games in Houston for the first time since 1977 and 1984 seasons. Lamar swept a three-game series from Houston in 1977 but didn't return to the Cougars home park until 1984.
 
Tuesday's game is slated for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch and will be broadcast live on ESPN+ via the Big 12 Network.