HOUSTON (Interstat) — Dominic Smaldino and the Arizona State Sun Devils aim to keep their torrid offense rolling Thursday night when they open a Big 12 series against the Houston Cougars at M.O. Campbell Center. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. under clear skies and 86 degrees.

Arizona State (34-17) enters on a high after a series win over Oklahoma State, punctuated by Sunday’s 11-7 victory. Smaldino, the first baseman, was the catalyst, going 3 for 5 with three home runs and eight RBIs. It capped a blistering series for the slugger, who homered twice in a 2-for-5, three-RBI performance in a 13-6 loss Saturday and added two RBIs in a 9-6 loss Friday. Over his last five games, Smaldino is 9 for 24 with five homers and 13 RBIs.

Houston (23-29) comes off a 14-3 win Tuesday over Rice. Shortstop Tyler Cox went 2 for 4 with four RBIs. Cox has been steady at the plate, hitting .379 (11 for 29) over his last seven games, including a 4-for-6 day at Arizona on May 9 and a 3-for-5, two-RBI effort in a 7-4 win on May 8.

The Sun Devils have won five of their last eight conference games. Houston has dropped nine of its last 11, including a series loss to Cincinnati.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-5 Arizona State win, and its ELO system gives the Sun Devils a 64-percent probability of victory. The teams continue the series Friday and Saturday at Campbell Center.