Lamar sports information

BEAUMONT — The Lamar University softball team split a par of games on Sunday in the Cardinal Classic. LU dropped game one to UTSA, 9-0, before defeating Austin Peay, 3-0 in the final game of the Cardinal Classic. LU went 5-1 during play at the Cardinal Classic.

UTSA 9, Lamar 0
Lamar struggled at the plate against the Roadrunners as Madison Nelson pitched a complete game two hitter against LU. Lamar picked up its first hit in the bottom of the first when Shannon Klaus singled to the pitcher. She stole second base but was stranded on base.

LU’s Maddy Myers drew a walk in the second inning with one out. After a fly out, Victoria Garivey hit into a fielder’s choice and on the play, Myers beat the throw to second base putting two Cards on. However, they would be left stranded on base.

UTSA scored one run in each of the second and third innings of the game. In the third inning, Brooks hit a leadoff home run to center field putting the Roadrunners ahead, 2-0. UTSA added to its lead in the top of the fourth inning when they scored two more runs on five hits.

Lamar picked up its last hit of the contest in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jade Lewis singled to right center to lead off the inning. She moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, but the Cards could not get anything going.

In the top of the fifth, the Roadrunners continued to hit as they collected seven hits in the frame. During the inning, they added five runs taking a 9-0 lead. LU could not get anything going in the bottom of the fifth as they had two groundouts and a fly out to center field and LU dropped the contest to UTSA 9-0 by the mercy rule.

Lamar 3, Austin Peay 0
After having its five-game winning streak snapped the previous game, the Cards came back and responded in their second game. Lamar’s starter Aaliyah Ruiz shut down the Governors in order in the top of the first inning.

After only picking up two hits in the first game, Lamar came out in the bottom of the first inning and collected two hits against Austin Peay. With one out, Klaus singled up the middle and followed by stealing second and third base. With Klaus on third and two outs, Taylor Davis walked. Myers came up to the plate and singled to right field scoring Klaus. Davis went to third on Myers hit and Myers went to second on the throw. LU looked to score more runs by the next Cardinal was retired.

Ruiz continued keep the Govs bats quiet as she struck out four over the next two innings while not allowing a hit through the first three innings of play. In the top of the third, Ruiz walked the leadoff hitter and she stole second. After her second walk of the inning, Moore went to third on a wild pitch, however, Ruiz settled down and got the next hitter to fly out ending the threat.

LU extended its lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the third. After a walk to Klaus to lead off the inning, she came into score when Shaina Amir singled to right. On the play, the Govs right fielder made a wild throw back into the infield and on the error, Klaus came into score.

Ruiz allowed her first hits of the contest in the top of the fourth inning when the Govs first two hitters hit back-to-back singles. Following the singles, she got three straight outs and LU continued to lead 2-0 over Austin Peay.

Lamar added its third run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Savana Mata and Kelly Meeuwsen singled to start off the inning for LU. After a fielder’s choice and a ground out, Davis drew a walk loading the bases. Myers came up and had a full count and she earned a walk which scored one. After four innings of play, LU led 3-0.

Following the third run, LU continued to keep the Govs bats quiet as Ruiz only allowed one more hit. After allowing a leadoff single in the fifth inning, Ruiz got the next three hitters out and LU led 3-0.

Erin Kyle came into the contest in relief of Ruiz in the top of the sixth inning and like Ruiz, Kyle kept the bats quiet for Austin Peay. In the sixth, Kyle retired the side in order. In the seventh, Kyle got the first hitter out. After a single, Kyle struck out Shorter and got the next hitter to ground out. LU came away with the win.

Ruiz earned her first win of the season as she pitched five innings, struck out four and only allowed three hits. Kyle earned the save for the Cards as she pitched two innings and only allowed one hit.

The Cards were scheduled to play in Omaha, Nebraska, against Creighton next weekend, however, the contest have been canceled because of weather. LU will now be traveling to College Station to participate in the A&M Invitational.