Rain Expected as BYU Visits Lamar for Non-Conference Clash

BEAUMONT, Texas (Interstat) — Two teams riding the momentum of weekend series wins will meet Monday when the BYU Cougars visit the Lamar Cardinals in non-conference baseball action at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under a forecast of 76-degree temperatures and rain.

The Cougars (18-16) arrive after taking three straight from Houston, capped by a 6-1 victory Saturday. Reliever Cayson Bell was dominant in that win, tossing 4 1/3 hitless innings with two strikeouts. Bell, a key player to watch, has allowed just two hits over his last 9 1/3 innings of work across four appearances.

BYU’s offense was sparked Saturday by right fielder Bryker Hurdsman, who drove in three runs.

The Lamar Cardinals (19-17) are coming off an 11-1 rout at Nicholls State on Sunday. Third baseman Hector Rodriguez led the charge, going 4 for 5 with a home run, while second baseman Kevin Duran added three RBIs.

A player to watch for the Cardinals is reliever Julius Carpio, who fired four hitless innings with two strikeouts in Sunday’s win. However, Carpio has been inconsistent, surrendering five earned runs in a three-inning outing against Oregon State on April 4.

Both bullpens could be heavily relied upon in this midweek contest. According to Interstat’s game simulator, BYU is projected to edge Lamar 6-4.

The Cougars hold a narrow 18-16 all-time record against the Cardinals, though the teams have not met since 2012.

Following this game, BYU returns home to open a series with Arizona State on Thursday. Lamar remains at home to host Northwestern State in a Southland Conference series starting Friday.