SOFTBALL: Longwood routs Lamar in A&M finale
Published 9:48 pm Sunday, March 3, 2019
Lamar sports information
COLLEGE STATION — The Lamar softball team closed out play at the Texas A&M Invite on Sunday morning against Longwood University. The Cards were defeated 9-1 by the Lancers.
Shannon Klaus led the Cards (9-13) at the plate, as she had two of the three hits for the Cardinals in the contest. Once on base, Klaus stole three bases and now has 16 stolen bases on the season.
The Cards struck first against the Lancers (11-5). In the top of the first, Klaus led off the game with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. She then swiped third base for her 14th stolen bases of the season. Shaina Amir hit a sacrifice fly scoring Klaus and LU led 1-0 after one inning of play.
Lamar looked as if they would add to its lead in the top of the second inning. With two outs, LU had a runner standing on third base. Klaus earned a walk and then stole her 15th base of the season putting runners on second and third. However, the Cards would leave them stranded.
The Lancers tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second. Dunn led off with a single and went to second on a wild pitch. She came into score on a single to shortstop. After two innings were complete, LU and Longwood were tied at 1-1.
In the top third, Big Red looked like it would take the lead back. The first three Cards, Amir, Jade Lewis, and Maddy Myers all drew walks and loaded the bases with no outs. However, after a fielder’s choice, Sydney Gay recorded back-to-back strikeouts ending the frame and leaving three Cardinals on base.
After the Lancers kept the Cards off the scoreboard in the top of the third, Longwood took the lead in the bottom of the frame. With two runners on, Batten singled to left center, that score two runs after a Cards error. After three innings of play, LU trailed Longwood, 3-1.
Opening the fourth inning, Mackenzie Futrell earned a walk and Klaus reached on a bunt single that advanced Futrell to second. After two outs, Futrell went to third on a Lancer error. Klaus moved herself into scoring position by stealing second base, which was her third stolen base of the day. However, Futrell and Klaus would be left stranded on the bases.
Longwood extended its lead in the bottom of the fifth inning to 7-1. In the frame, Wayland picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice, Clark picked up two RBIs on a single and the Lancers scored one on a Cardinal error. The Lancers continued to stay hot at the plate, as they scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Blair hit a double to right center that scored two and ending the game. Lamar was defeated 9-1.
In the loss, the Cardinals left 10 runners stranded on base.
Lamar returns to action on Friday when they host Abilene Christian at the LU Softball Complex. Friday’s contest will be a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m. This will be opening week of Southland Conference action.