Lamar at Houston Christian

HOUSTON (Interstat) — Lamar visits Houston Christian on Thursday for a Southland Conference doubleheader at M.O. Campbell Center.

The Cardinals (26-23 overall) bring a five-game winning streak in series openers into the afternoon and evening twinbill. Houston Christian (21-25) looks to end a two-game skid.

The forecast calls for 81-degree temperatures and rain.

Lamar won its most recent game, 15-14 in 11 innings Tuesday at Sam Houston State. Reliever Gage Burdick earned the win, throwing 3.2 scoreless, hitless innings with five strikeouts. The redshirt freshman has allowed one earned run over his last 5.1 innings across two appearances.

Burdick’s recent outings: April 22 at South Alabama (1.2 IP, 0 H, 2 ER, 2 K) and April 12 at Nicholls State (0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 ER).

Houston Christian fell 3-2 at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Sunday. Reliever Louis Castano threw 3.0 innings, allowing one earned run on zero hits with two strikeouts.

Castano has pitched 8.1 innings over his last three appearances (April 26 to May 3), surrendering four earned runs with eight strikeouts. His season includes a 4.1-inning scoreless outing against New Orleans on April 18.

The Huskies’ offense managed just four hits in Sunday’s loss after erupting for 15 runs in a win Saturday.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-5 Lamar victory. The ELO system gives the Cardinals a 66.50 percent probability of winning.

The teams complete the three-game series Friday and Saturday, also at M.O. Campbell Center.