The Lamar baseball team split a doubleheader against UT-Arlington, April 6, at Vincent-Beck Stadium. LU won the first game 6-5 and lost the second game 4-2. Despite the loss, Lamar won the series after Friday’s 3-2 win.
In the first game of the doubleheader, the Mavericks struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an LU throwing error.
UT-Arlington extended its advantage to 2-0 in the second, capitalizing on an RBI single to center. However, Lamar quickly responded. Infielder Zane Spinn’s two-out single to right center set the stage for Matt Ryan, who delivered an RBI triple to right to cut the deficit to one run.
Later in the same inning, Cardinal utility player Bryce Grizzaffi came through with a single to the pitcher, tying the game at 2-2.
The Mavericks regained a two-run lead in the top of the third, scoring once on a groundout to third and adding another with an RBI double to left center. UT-Arlington then made it a three-run game in the fourth with a solo home run.
Lamar mounted a comeback in the seventh, beginning with an RBI double to right center by Zak Skinner. LU outfielder Heladio Moreno followed with an RBI single to left center, pulling the Cardinals to within one run.
In the bottom of the eighth, Cardinal outfielder Damian Ruiz tied the game with a solo home run, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth, LU outfielder Tab Tracy drew a walk, and Skinner followed with a clutch double down the right field line. The hit delivered Lamar’s second consecutive walk-off victory, securing a thrilling 6-5 win.
“ The win was great,” LU head coach Will Davis said. “The guys battled back and did a great job. We had some very clutch at bats, got some really clutch pitching from Austin Neil.”
In the second game, Lamar went up 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning on a two-run homer by Skinner.
Arlington cut the deficit to one in the top of the third inning on an RBI single.
The game remained scoreless until the eighth inning where the Mavericks scored three runs without tallying a single hit. Arlington scored runs on a bases-loaded walk, a fielder’s choice and a fielding error to turn the tables and take the lead and ultimately win the game.
“ We didn’t hit their pitcher,” Davis said. “ That’s part of the reason (we lost). We didn’t really have very good at bats. Dealing with a couple injuries, losing the center fielder hurt. And they didn’t play very good as a team in the eighth inning. Had too many walks and didn’t turn a double play that we should have. Just not very good overall.”
The Cardinals, who lead the nation in hits with 346 on the season, are now 26-8 overall and 9-6 in Southland Conference play where they sit in sixth place.
Lamar return to SLC play for a three-game series against Nicholls State, April 11-13, at Vincent Beck. The first game will start at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.