The Lamar baseball team completed a series sweep over the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders, March 23, with a decisive 8-0 victory at Vincent-Beck Stadium.
The Cardinals won the first game of the series 2-0 and the second 12-6 against the Islanders,
On Sunday, LU erupted in the bottom of the third inning as Zak Skinner ripped a shot to center field, driving in Damian Ruiz and Matt Ryan to take a 2-0 lead and swing the momentum in the Cardinals’ favor.
The game remained scoreless for both teams until the seventh inning when Ruiz singled to left centerfield, bringing in Heladio Moreno. Tab Tracy then doubled to left field, driving in Connor Kaiser.
The Cardinals’ scoring run didn’t stop there as Skinner singled through the right side, allowing Tracy to storm home and cap off a dominant three-run inning, extending the lead to 6-0.
Lamar added to their lead in the bottom of the eighth as Brayden Evans hit a two-RBI double down the right field line, driving in Ruiz and Hector Rodriguez.
The game reached an electric conclusion as Moreno made a leaping grab at the wall, robbing a home run and sealing the victory for the Cardinals.
“ They did a great job,” LU head coach Will Davis said. “They went out and took care of business this weekend, and to get the sweep was huge, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
The Cardinals finished the game with 12 hits and zero errors.
The offensive surge was complemented by starting pitcher Chris Olivier’s performance, as he secured his third win of the season. Reliever Austin Neal contributed by earning his second save, effectively closing out the game.
“It starts on the mound,” Davis said. “We got some great pitching, a really good job today, in particular by Chris Olivier and Neil, throwing up nine zeros. We played really good defense and it was just a total team win today. It was really great job in all areas.”
LU are now 19-7 overall and 6-6 in Southland Conference play where they sit in sixth place.
Lamar are set to play the University of the Incarnate Word, March 28-30, for a three game conference series in San Antonio. The first game will start at 2:05 and will be streamed on ESPN+.