LUBBOCK, Texas (Interstat) — The BYU Cougars and Texas Tech Red Raiders meet Thursday night at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park in a pivotal Big 12 series opener, with the teams separated by just a half-game in the win column.

First pitch is set for 7 p.m. under partly cloudy skies and a forecast temperature of 74 degrees.

BYU (24-23) enters with momentum after a 5-2 win Tuesday at UNLV. The Cougars have won three of their last four, despite dropping a weekend series at home against Utah (May 1-3). Texas Tech (24-24) also comes off a midweek victory, beating Dallas Baptist 9-7 on Tuesday.

Players to watch

BYU right-hander Luke Sterner (1-1) will be a key arm out of the bullpen. The Cougars likely will rely on him in relief after he tossed 2.0 scoreless innings with six strikeouts against UNLV on Tuesday. Sterner was roughed up for seven earned runs in 1.2 innings against Utah Tech on April 20 but rebounded with 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing no hits, at Lamar on April 13.

Texas Tech first baseman/left fielder Logan Hughes has been the Red Raiders’ most consistent hitter over the past two weeks. He went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs in Tuesday’s win over Dallas Baptist. Over his last six games, Hughes has hit .400 (10-for-25) with two homers and 10 RBIs, including a 3-for-5 performance at Baylor on May 2.

Recent results

BYU’s pitching carried the day at UNLV. In addition to Sterner’s work, relievers Austin Park (1.1 IP, 0 H, 2 K) and Dan Brousseau (1.0 IP, 0 H, 2 K) combined for 2.1 scoreless innings. The Cougars have struggled offensively in losses to Utah (8-3 on May 2, 8-1 on May 1) but scored eight runs in each win at Arizona on April 24-25.

Texas Tech’s bullpen also shined against Dallas Baptist. Connor Mohan tossed 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out two, and Connor Shouse added 2.0 scoreless frames with one strikeout. The Red Raiders have lost four of their last six, including a three-game sweep at home against Oklahoma State on April 24-26.

What’s at stake

Thursday begins a three-game Big 12 series, with games Friday and Saturday also at Dan Law Field. The simulator from Interstat projects Texas Tech as a 5-3 winner. The Cougars then host Utah Valley and Kansas beginning May 14. The Red Raiders travel to Cincinnati on May 14.