March 11, 2011

Box Score

BEAUMONT, Texas - Blake Ford struck out a career-high nine batters, and his offensive teammates erupted for a seven-run seventh inning Friday night as Lamar University opened its 2011 Southland Conference campaign with an 8-1 victory over Nicholls.

A 6-foot-5 senior right-hander, Ford went the distance for the first time this season, limiting the Colonels to a mere four hits and throwing 71 of his 106 pitches for strikes. He recorded two strikeouts in the first inning, two more in the second and another pair in the fifth.

"It was a fabulous pitching performance," said Jim Gilligan, Lamar's head coach. "Blake was in control from start to finish.

Ford, who improved to 2-1 on the season, ended the two-hour, 25-minute game by coaxing Colonel first baseman Blake Bergeron into grounding into a 6-4-3 double play.

The Cardinals, who are now 10-6 on the year, tied the score at 1-1 on Cameron Campbell's RBI double to left centerfield in the sixth inning. Second baseman Andy Mena got their big seventh inning started by drawing a leadoff walk, and he advanced to second base on a wild pitch and to third on a balk.

Shortstop Aaron Buchanan plated Mena with a deftly-executed bunt single down the first-base line, setting the stage for what was to come.

"Buck's bunt was the key to the whole thing," said Gilligan. "I was so happy to see that ball stay fair, because there was no way they (the Colonels) were going to get him out at first."

After Wade Mathis walked to load the bases, catcher Joey Latulippe ripped an RBI single to left field, and Jude Vidrine followed with a two-RBI double. A fielding error later in the inning kept the door opened for the Cardinals who finished the frame with seven runs and five hits.

Right fielder Jeff Abt led the Cardinals' 11-hit attack against five Nicholls pitchers by going 3-for-5, while Buchanan and Ted Zentek had two hits each.

Game 2 of the series is set for 2 p.m. Saturday. Because of the Gusher Marathon, also scheduled for Saturday, fans are encouraged to approach Vincent-Beck Stadium on Rolfe Christopher Drive and use the parking lot entrance near Lamar's soccer complex.

LAMAR