BEAUMONT, Texas — Fresh off a series win over McNeese this past weekend, Lamar University hosts Sam Houston for its sixth midweek contest.
NATION'S BEST PITCHER: Chris Olivier improved to 3-0 after tossing a two‑hitter with 12 strikeouts over 7.2 innings in Game 2 against McNeese … He is tied for eighth nationally in Division I with 44 strikeouts, 14th with a 0.74 WHIP and tied for 10th with a 0.84 ERA … Olivier has recorded double‑digit strikeouts in each of his three home starts, fanning 37 batters while allowing just three hits and no runs … In the Southland, Olivier ranks second in ERA, second in innings pitched (32.1), second in strikeouts, first in opposing batting average (.135) and tied for second in wins.

EARNING RECOGNITION: Olivier has earned Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week honors three times this season (Feb. 16, March 2, and March 16) … He was also named Dick Howser Trophy National Player of the Week (Feb. 17) and recognized nationally by D1Baseball.com, 64 Analytics and Baseball America.

UNBLEMISHED: Jarret Williams has thrown 18.2 consecutive scoreless innings across five appearances, including four starts … He owns a 0.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts.

OFFENSIVE LEADER: Beau Durbin leads the team with 28 hits, six doubles, two triples, 17 RBIs, an .871 OPS, and a .482 slugging percentage … He is tied with Tab Tracy for the team lead in batting average at .329 … Durbin is tied for seventh in the Southland in hits, tied for second in triples and tied for fifth in at-bats (85).

KEEPING TABS ON TAB: Tracy leads the team with six stolen bases and a .416 on‑base percentage while ranking second with 25 hits and 16 RBIs … He is tied for ninth in the conference in stolen bases … Tracy became the first Cardinal this season to record five or more RBIs in a game, driving in five runs in Game 3 against McNeese … He is also the only Cardinal this season to record a four‑hit game, accomplishing the feat against Stephen F. Austin in Game 2 … Tracy has reached base safely in each of his last 11 games.

OFFENSIVE RESURGENCE: Hector Rodriguez is riding a seven‑game hitting streak, going 9 for 22 (.409) during the stretch with two doubles and four RBIs … He highlighted the streak by going 3 for 5 with two singles and a double in Game 3 against McNeese.

GETTING ON BASE: A.J. Taylor ranks second on the team with 22 hits, an .859 OPS and a .457 slugging percentage while also ranking third with a .402 on‑base percentage … Braden Benton leads the team with 18 walks and is second with a .405 on‑base percentage … Benton ranks fifth in the conference in walks.

MIDWEEK SUCCESS: The Cardinals are 90-75 in midweek games since 2010, including a 15-6 mark since 2025 … LU is 6-0 against Conference USA programs since 2024.

SUCCESS AT HOME: LU has gone 59-9 at home since 2024, including a 27-2 record in 2025.

• Northwestern State (13-7, 6-3)
• Lamar (12-8, 6-3)
• Southeastern Louisiana (11-9, 4-2)
• Houston Christian (10-9, 4-2)
• Stephen F. Austin (12-9, 5-4)
• UT Rio Grande Valley (10-10, 5-4)
• Incarnate Word (11-8, 4-4)
• McNeese (9-10, 4-5)
• Nicholls (11-11, 3-5)
• New Orleans (8-11, 2-6)
• A&M-Corpus Christi (10-10, 0-5)

LU vs. SAM HOUSTON: The Cardinals are 68‑77‑1 all‑time against Sam Houston since the series began in 1952 … LU has won six of the last eight meetings, including matchups in 2024 and 2025, and holds a 40‑30 advantage over the Bearkats at Vincent‑Beck Stadium … The former Southland rivals will meet again Tuesday, May 5, in Huntsville.
CATCHING UP: Sam Houston enters the week at 8-11 after being swept by Jacksonville State in its Conference USA opener … The Bearkats have dropped eight of their last 12 games, including a sweep at the hands of Oklahoma State … Sam Houston's roster features 18 new players, including nine transfers and nine newcomers from the high school ranks.

WHO TO WATCH: Freshman infielder Cade Corcoran leads the team with 20 hits and is riding a nine‑game on‑base streak … Junior outfielder Hunter Alvord is tied for the team lead with three home runs and paces the Bearkats with 11 RBIs while freshman catcher Wes Baker has reached base safely in each of his last 11 games … The pitching staff has a 4.66 ERA … Junior righthander Ryan Peterson leads the staff with a 1.93 ERA and 43 strikeouts in five starts.