BEAUMONT, Texas — Lamar University captured its first Southland Conference tournament title since 2010, defeating rival McNeese, 2-1, May 22 at Vincent-Beck Stadium to complete a sweep of the best-of-three series.
The Cardinals captured their sixth conference tournament title and fourth Southland Conference tournament championship.
LU's previous Southland tournament titles came in 2002 and 2004.
This marks the second time the Cardinals have won the Southland Conference tournament title while hosting, with the previous instance coming in 2002.
Behind strong pitching and timely hitting, the Cardinals secured the championship.
The Cardinals opened the scoring in the second on A.J. Taylor's RBI single up the middle, bringing in Hector Rodriguez after his leadoff single to left center.
McNeese ties the game in the fifth when Isaiah Keller led off with a double to left center, and Marcus Heusohn followed with an RBI infield single.
LU regained the lead in the sixth on Jake Wagoner's RBI single through the left side, scoring Rodriguez after another leadoff single.
Chris Olivier retired the final 11 batters to secure the win while Julius Carpio threw one shutout inning to notch the save.
Olivier becomes the third LU pitcher since 2010 to record 100 or more strikeouts in a season, joining Brooks Caple (2024) and Jonathan Dziedzic (2010, 2013).