Preview: McNeese State Cowboys at Lamar Cardinals

BEAUMONT, Texas (Interstat) — The Lamar Cardinals will look to salvage a game in their Southland Conference series against the McNeese State Cowboys on Sunday at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon. The forecast calls for cloudy skies and 76-degree temperatures.

The Cowboys (8-8, 1-0 Southland) took the series opener 3-1 on Friday behind a dominant pitching performance. Lamar (10-8, 0-1) aims to even the set before both teams turn their attention to midweek non-conference play.

A marquee pitching rematch is expected. McNeese State’s Cooper Golden, who threw 6 2/3 no-hit innings with five strikeouts in Friday’s win, is slated to start. The right-hander has been exceptional in two of his last three outings, allowing zero hits over six-plus innings in both.

He will face Lamar’s Jarret Williams, who was equally sharp in a hard-luck loss on Friday. Williams held the Cowboys to one hit over six scoreless frames, fanning five. The bullpen decisions that follow will be critical; McNeese relievers Jake Blackwell and Brady Corcoran closed the door Friday, while Lamar’s Julius Carpio and Cooper Carlgren provided solid relief.

Offensively, both teams seek more consistency. The Cowboys have shown power, scoring 14 runs against Southern and 11 against Nicholls State this season, but were held to three hits total on Friday. Lamar’s lineup, which produced 11 runs in a win at Stephen F. Austin last week, was stifled by Golden.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, this contest projects as a high-scoring affair, with Lamar favored 6-5.

The series concludes a three-game set. McNeese State visits Prairie View on Wednesday. Lamar hosts Sam Houston on Tuesday.