Feb. 24, 2008
Box Score
EDINBURG, Texas - Brian Needham pitched five innings of six hit ball but the Lamar offense couldn't break through as the Cardinals fell to Illinois, 1-0, at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium in the Al Ogletree Classic on Sunday.
Needham (0-1) scattered six hits and allowed the only run of the game on an infield single by Brandon Wikoff with two out in the bottom of the fifth. Matt Morgal threw three scoreless innings and struck out one while allowing one hit.
After pounding out 11 hits against Sam Houston State on Saturday, Lamar appeared on its way to maintaining its hot play at the plate as three of the first seven Cardinals reached base safely, but after leaving the bases loaded in the first, the bats cooled off.
Lamar loaded the bases in the first when Chris Dunkin reached on a fielder's choice, David Moore singled to right and Jeff Vickers was hit by a pitch. But the scoring threat was halted when Aaron Martin (1-0) got Keith Towne to strike out. The Cardinals had runners on the corners with one out in the top of the fifth but Anthony Moore was caught stealing second and Brian Taylor grounded out to the pitcher to end the threat. Only five Cardinals reached base after Tucker's bunt single to lead-off the second.
Lamar (1-2) was held scoreless for the first time since May 5 of last season at SE Louisiana in the beck-end of a doubleheader in Hammond, La.
Shortstop Jeremiah Sammy reached base in all three plate appearances but was 1-for-3 officially with a fielder's choice, an infield singles and an error by Wikoff. Sammy also had one of the Cardinals two stolen bases.
Lamar will return to action this week when it welcomes Arkansas State, Kansas State and Michigan State to Vincent-Beck Stadium for the Cardinal Classic, sponsored by YMBL. Thursday's first game between Arkansas State and Kansas State will start at 1 p.m. with Lamar and Michigan State slated for a 5 p.m. first pitch.
