The Lamar Cardinals were hitting on all cylinders against the University of Incarnate Word, March 29 in Southland Conference baseball action.
Right off the bat, Lamar scored four runs in the first inning, including a solo home run by junior Lane Sparks to the right field wall. This was followed be a double to right field by senior Brayden Evans that brought home senior Tab Tracy.
The final run of the first inning came after junior Jake Wagoner singled to second base, bringing in senior Kevin Duran for the score.
The game at LU’s Vincent Beck Stadium was a show of dominance for Big Red, winning 9-0 with pitcher Blayne Fritcher picking up the win.
Senior Beau Durbin extended the lead in the second inning with a solo home run of his own over the right-center wall.
Hit after hit, runners were constantly finding themselves on base and many scored the hitters selflessly sacrificed themselves to drive them home. LU put runs on the scoreboard in each of the first four innings. In the third, Wagoner grounded out to bring Evans in for another run.
In the fourth, senior Hector Rodriguez had a sacrifice bunt, allowing Durbin to score another run. In the sixth, Rodriguez had another sacrifice play, this time flyer, allowing Tab run up the score some more. In the seventh, Wagoner grounded out again to bring senior A.J. Taylor home. The home Cards only went scoreless in two innings.
The visiting Incarnate Word Cardinals struggled all afternoon. They barely got anyone on base,with four hits, and were completely shut down.
The win puts the Cards at 17-11 on the season and 10-5 in Southland Conference play, putting them in a tie for first in the SLC.
The Cards played at TCU on March 31 The result was unavailable at press time.
The Cardinals will host a three-game homestand against nationally-ranked Oregon State. April 2-4 at Vincent Beck Stadium.