March 24, 2006

Final Stats

BEAUMONT - Steve Macfarland turned in a dominant performance on the mound as Lamar University outscored Stephen F. Austin 10-1 Friday night in Southland Conference baseball action at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

Lamar improved to 17-10 overall and 5-2 in SLC play. SFA dropped to 5-20 and 2-8 in SLC play. The Cardinals and Lumberjacks continue the series today with a 2 p.m. game and close out the series Sunday at 1 p.m.

SFA scored first on a solo home run by Steven Hill in the top of the first inning. After leadoff hitter David Jeans struck out on three pitches, Hill hit a 1-0 pitch Lamar starter Steve Macfarland deep over the wall in left center field. Macfarland regrouped to retire 15 of the next 17 batters.

The Cardinals scored twice in the bottom of the third inning and never looked back. Colt Crawford started the inning with an infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Erik Kanaby. Ryan Baker, who was 2-for-5, tripled to left center field to drive in Crawford with Lamar's first run. Collin Delome followed with double to right center to plate Baker.

Lamar scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 5-1 lead. Will Henderson, who was 2-for-4, hit a solo home run to left field in the fourth, which was his team-leading seventh of the season.

Kanaby walked to lead off the fifth inning and took third in Baker's single to right center on a hit-and-run. DeLome drove in Kanaby with a fielder's choice.

The Cardinals put the game out of reach with six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Haney started the rally with a leadoff double down the left field line. Crawford, who was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, singled to left field and Haney was able to score when Kyle Freeman misplayed the ball in left field.

Kanaby and DeLome both walked to load the bases with one out. Dan Hernandez coaxed a 3-2 walk to drive in Crawford. C.J. Ebarb cleared the bases with a grand slam home run to right center field, which was his fifth homer of the season, to put Lamar up 10-1.

Macfarland (5-1) allowed just the one run on two hits with a career-high 12 strikeouts and three walks in eight innings pitched. Scott Meyer pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing two hits with two strikeouts.

SFA starter Brian Steinocher (1-4) took the loss, allowing six runs on nine hits with six strikeouts and two walks in six innings pitched.

Senior William Delage, who is 4-2 with a 3.28 ERA, is Lamar probable starter today. Sammy Hardwick, who is 0-2 with a 4.97 ERA, is expected to start for SFA.