HOUSTON – Houston Christian University (HCU) baseball will host former Southland Conference rival Sam Houston at Husky Field on Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. For their 2026 home opener.
Facing Tough Competition
The Huskies (0-4) began the season with a challenging four-game series against Louisiana Tech, where the Bulldogs—expected to contend for the Conference USA title—secured a series win. Sam Houston enters Tuesday’s game with a 2-1 record after taking two-of-three games at McNeese.
Key Players to Watch
Senior outfielder Rhett Hendricks led the Huskies during their series at Louisiana Tech, batting .417 (5-for-12) and scoring a team-high four runs. He recorded a perfect 4-for-4 performance in game three. Senior infielder Jeremy Rader has also been a consistent presence at the plate, hitting safely in all four games and extending his hitting streak to 12 games, including games from the end of the 2025 season.
For Sam Houston, senior infielder Ryan Franden was named Conference USA Hitter of the Week after batting .429 (6-for-14) with nine RBI in three multi-hit, multi-RBI games.
Pitching Matchup
HCU is expected to start senior right-handed pitcher Jett Feltman. In the 2025 season, Feltman posted a 5.90 ERA with a 2-2 record across 29 innings and 14 appearances, including three starts. Sam Houston will counter with junior left-handed pitcher Jakob Holzer, who had a 2.64 ERA and an 8-1 record at Murray State College last season.
Following Tuesday’s game, HCU will host Alcorn State for a three-game series from February 20-22. A Southland Conference Championship ring presentation is scheduled to take place after the conclusion of Saturday’s game, which begins at 2:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HCU’s current record?
HCU’s current record is 0-4.
Who earned CUSA Hitter of the Week honors?
Sam Houston’s Ryan Franden earned CUSA Hitter of the Week honors.
When is the Southland Conference Championship ring presentation?
The Southland Conference Championship ring presentation is scheduled to take place 20 minutes following the conclusion of Saturday’s game against Alcorn State, which begins at 2:00 p.m.
How will the Huskies utilize the momentum from their upcoming games to build towards a successful season?
