The Cowboys hope the weekend weather doesn’t cool their hot start.

After opening the season with a pair of victories over Wichita State, McNeese welcomes Oakland to Joe Miller Ballpark for three games starting Friday. To avoid the evening cold, the first pitch has been moved up to 3 p.m. 

The Cowboys (2-1) had their game at No. 1 Texas A&M postponed due to weather Tuesday, so they only have four more before they open Southland Conference play next week.

“It’s not a lot of time to get ready for the league,” said McNeese head coach Justin Hill. “The big thing for us this year will be learning while we try to win games.”

That puts an even greater emphasis on this weekend’s series with the Golden Grizzlies, who lost three of four last week at Jacksonville State. They are a long opening-season road trip.  

Oakland University is from Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills, Michigan.

“They have to travel early each year, so they are used to playing on the road,” said Hill. “So they will know how to play that way and be ready.”

The Cowboys were disappointed they didn’t get a chance to play the top-ranked Aggies.

“It’s a little disappointing, but there isn’t anything we can do about it,” said McNeese head coach Justin Hill. “You always want to play great competition and see how your players manage the moment. 

“We will see if we can find a date to make the game up at a later time, but this week didn’t work out. Playing there is a great atmosphere and our kids were looking forward to it. Hope we get a chance to go back there.”

Weather will also be key this weekend. It is expected to be cold and windy, and some rain is in the forecast. 

“You have to get ready for the weather this time of year,” said Hill. “It’s part of the game.”

The Cowboys will open the series with left-hander Alexis Gravel pitching against right-hander Hunter Pidek. Gravel pitched four scoreless innings last Friday for McNeese, which was the opener. 

Gravel didn’t allow a run and struck out three, but he did allow five hits while walking just one. Gravel was given no decision.

Pidek also worked four innings in his only start. The senior was tagged for five runs, four earned, on six hits while taking the loss. 

Saturday will start a second lefty, Cooper Golden, who will make his second start. Golden allowed three runs but just one hit while working five innings.

“Cooper was able to turn things around and keep us in the game,” said Hill. “He didn’t let the game get out of hand.”

The Grizzlies will throw freshman left-hander Grant Garman (1-0) in Game 2. Garman allowed just one run on four hits while going five innings last weekend.

He struck out six but walked three in his first college start. Neither team has announced a starter for Sunday. 

Last week, McNeese started a third lefty, Jake Blackwell, in the series finale. 

McNeese showed solid offense in the first series, scoring 20 runs on 29 hits, 13 of them going for extra bases. Davis Meche hit .500 against Wichita to lead the Cowboys.

Conner Wetenburg (.429) and Easton Dowell (455) homered over the opening weekend.