FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Lamar softball team recorded a season-high 12 hits in its 4-1 victory over Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday morning to close out the FGCU Invitational. The win for Lamar is its third victory of the season.

Leading the Cards at the plate was Shannon Klaus, who went 3-for-4 at the plate in the contest. Kelly Meeuwsen, Victoria Garivey and Savana Guidry followed with two hits apiece.

Erin Kyle, who pitched three innings out of the bullpen, only allowed two hits recorded the win for LU. Julia Voluntad closed the game and earned the save. Aaliyah Ruiz struck out four in two innings.

The Cards looked to get the bats going early against the Eagles as Meeuwsen and Klaus had back-to-back infield singles to start the game.

Elizabeth Castillo drew a walk loading the bases for Lamar in the top of the first. After an out, Shaina Amir was hit by a pitch that scored one putting LU ahead, 1-0. Taylor Murphy followed with a sacrifice fly to left field putting LU ahead 2-0.

Florida Gulf Coast trimmed the lead down to one, 2-1, in the bottom of the frame. After a strikeout, Morrell hit a home run for the Eagles. That would all they would get as Ruiz recorded another strikeout and fly out in the inning.

The score would stay 2-1 in favor of the Cardinals until the top of the fourth inning. Victoria Garivey led off the inning with a single to right field. Mackenzie Futrell followed with a double to left center. On Futrell’s hit, Savana Mata, who was running for Garivey scored, and Futrell went to third on an error. Meeuwsen singled down the left field line scoring Futrell and putting the Cards ahead 4-1. Klaus followed with a single and two batters later Jade Lewis walked to load the bases with two outs. However, LU would leave the bases loaded and lead 4-1 heading to the bottom of the fourth.

In the bottom of the third inning, Erin Kyle came out of the pen and into pitch. She recorded three straight outs in the third inning. In the fourth inning, Kyle got Servideo to strike out and a ground out before allowing a double and a walk. However, both Eagles would be left on base as Kyle recorded a strike out of Poehlman to end the inning.

Lamar was looking to add to its lead in the top of the seventh inning. Murphy led off with a single and Garivey double down the left field line putting two on with no outs. Futrell hit a line drive to third base, which was caught, and they doubled off Murphy. The next hitter for LU was retired and the threat was over.

Needing three outs for the win, the Eagles would not go down quietly. Morrell reached on a walk. After a pop out, Clemens reached on a fielder’s choice, which Morrell was safe at second on a Cards error, put two runners on for FGCU. Julia Voluntad got the next hitter to line out to third base for the second out of the inning. Taylor, who was pitch hitting, drew a walk loading the bases and brought the winning run to the plate. The Eagles hitter worked a full count before she grounded out to short stop ending the game. Lamar came away with a 4-1 victory.

The Cards return to action on Friday when they open its 2019 home schedule with the Cardinal Classic. LU will face Maine at 5 p.m. and Rhode Island at 7:30 p.m. All games will be played at the LU Softball Complex. Complete Cardinal Classic schedule can be found here.