Lamar sports information

LAKE CHARLES — The Lamar softball team dropped its second straight contest in walk-off fashion on Saturday at rival McNeese State. The Cardinals were defeated 4-3 in the final game of the series against the Cowgirls.

In the top of the first two innings of the contest, LU put its leadoff runners on base as both drew walks. In the first inning, Shannon Klaus advanced to second before being stranded on base. After two outs and a runner on first, Elizabeth Castillo singled up the middle putting two on. However, the Cards would leave the runners on base.

Over the first two innings, Julia Voluntad kept the Cowgirls bats quiet as she did not allow a McNeese batter to reach base. After Voluntad sat the Cowgirls down in order in the second, LU started a two-out rally in the third.

Kelly Meeuwsen singled to shortstop to get the Cards going. Jade Lewis came up to the plate. With a 1-2 count, Lewis doubled to right field, that scored Meeuwsen from first base putting the Cardinals ahead, 1-0.

In the bottom of the third, Haylee Brinlee drew a walk with one out and advanced to second on a ground out. With two outs, Justyce McClain singled up the middle that scored Brinlee tying the game at 1-1. On the play, McClain went to second on a throw that was late trying to get Brinlee out at the plate. After a walk, Voluntad got Aubree Turbeville to fly out to end the frame.

Lamar looked to get the lead back in the top of the fourth inning. Taylor Murphy led off the inning by reaching on a Cowgirl error. She went to third on a single by Victoria Garivey, putting runners on the corners. Lamar took a 2-1 lead when Castillo grounded into a double play.

With two outs in the fifth inning, McClain reached on an error. Voluntad looked to get out of the inning with a strikeout, but a passed ball allowed Lopez to reach first. On the play, McClain came around to score on a wild throw to first base and tied the game at 2-2.

Lamar answered right back in the top of the sixth inning. Lewis led off the inning with a triple to right field. The next hitter, Kimberly Mattox, hit a sacrifice fly to left field putting LU ahead, 3-2.

In the bottom of the frame, Voluntad retired the first two hitters with a fly out and a pop out. Cori McCrary came up and reached on a Cardinals error. She then stole second before scoring on a Cowgirl double that tied the game at 3-3.

After the Cards went down in order in the seventh, McNeese got the offense going with one out. McClain singled to left and Lopez followed with a single through the left side putting two on base for the Cowgirls. The next hitter for the Cowgirls hit a walk-off double. LU dropped the third game of the series, 4-3.

The Cardinals return to action on Tuesday at the Southland Conference Tournament. The bracket and times of the games for the tournament have not been released.