HOUSTON (Interstat) — The Houston Cougars look to build on a winning record when they host the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions in nonconference baseball Friday at M.O. Campbell Center.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CDT.

Houston (7-5) returns home after splitting a pair of midweek games, falling 5-2 to Sam Houston on Tuesday before an 8-2 road win at Alabama on Sunday. The Cougars’ bullpen has been a strength, with reliever Ryne Rodriguez emerging as a key arm. In his last four appearances, Rodriguez has not allowed a run over 8 2/3 innings, striking out 12 batters. He pitched 1 2/3 perfect innings with three strikeouts in the loss to Sam Houston.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff (5-9) arrives after a high-scoring 10-8 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock on Tuesday. The Golden Lions’ bullpen was pivotal in that win, highlighted by Brendan Hamlin’s 3 2/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief with three strikeouts. Hamlin has been effective in two of his last three outings, providing a reliable option in middle relief.

Offensively, the Golden Lions were led Tuesday by Blake Coleman, who went 2 for 2 with three RBIs, and Jose Vasquez, who added three hits and three RBIs.

The series is the first meeting between the programs. Following Friday’s contest, the teams will play again Saturday and Sunday to complete the three-game set.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Houston 4, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 2.

Houston will host Rice next Tuesday before a weekend series against Kansas State. Arkansas-Pine Bluff continues its road swing with a midweek game at Memphis next Wednesday before opening Southwestern Athletic Conference play at home against Mississippi Valley State next weekend.