Box Score Feb. 19, 2012
Final Stats
BEAUMONT, Texas - Lamar University's batters overpowered Arkansas State with a 15-hit attack in cruising to a 10-2 victory Sunday afternoon in the final game of the Lamar Classic.
The Vincent-Beck Stadium crowd of 707 saw senior center fielder Jeff Abt lead the way with three doubles and three runs batted in, and junior third baseman Darian Johnson also went 3-for-5 while Cameron Campbell, Garret Autrey and Aaron Olivas each had two hits.
"We swung the bats really well all up and down the lineup," said Lamar head coach Jim Gilligan. "It was a pleasing thing to watch.
"We didn't look all that great at the plate in our first game (a 2-1 win over Arkansas State on Friday night), but we were facing a really good pitcher. The Arkansas State coach (Tommy Raffo) told me after the game that he really likes our lineup. I thought that was a nice compliment on his part."
After flying out to center field in his first at-bat, Abt highlighted the Cardinals' three-run third inning with a booming two-run double to right field. He then doubled to center field in the fifth inning and poked an RBI double down the left-field line in the sixth.
"Abt really crushed those doubles," said Gilligan. "Had the wind not been blowing in, all three would've been home runs. He's a good leader for this team. I like his style of play."
Olivas' two-run single to right field increased the Cardinals' lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning, and they added one run in the fifth, three in the sixth and one in the eighth.
"It's gotten to where I really like to see Olivas come to bat when there are runners on base," said Gilligan. "He seems to thrive in those situations."
Junior left-hander Jonathan Dziedzic blanked the Red Wolves on three hits over the first six innings to earn the pitching victory. The Cardinals also received one scoreless inning from senior right-hander John Gilligan and 1 1/3 scoreless innings from freshman right-hander Colin Chapman.
Junior right-hander Carter Hahn yielded a leadoff home run to Claude Johnson in the eighth, and the Red Wolves added their other run later in the inning.
The Cardinals will return to action Friday when they will serve as the host team for the annual YMBL/Cardinal Classic. The University of Illinois and Gonzaga University will be the other participants.
Portland claimed its second victory in the tournament by outscoring Stephen F. Austin 10-5 in Sunday's first game. Shortstop Kris Kauppila led off the game with a home run over the left-field fence, and left fielder Turner Gill and third baseman Caleb Whalen also went deep for the Pilots.
Shortstop Hunter Dozier hit two home runs for the Lumberjacks, and first baseman Bobby Loveless also homered.
Chris Johnson earned the pitching victory for the Pilots by working 5 1/3 innings and allowing five hits and three runs while striking out four batters. Colton Eubanks, the first of seven pitchers employed by coach Johnny Cardenas, absorbed the loss.
LAMAR
