Feb. 19, 2014

Box Score

BEAUMONT – The Lamar baseball team twice loaded the bases in the last two innings on Wednesday night, but Texas Southern was able to hold the Cardinals to just two runs over the two frames to earn an 8-4 victory at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

With the loss, LU dropped to 2-3 on the year, and TSU improved to 2-3.

Sam Bumpers led the way for a Card offense that picked up eight hits on the night. The senior out of Bourbonnais, Ill., went 3-for-5 at the plate with a pair of doubles. No other Card recorded multiple hits, but both Jacoby Middleton and Jude Vidrine earned a pair of walks. Vidrine also picked up two runs batted in.

As a team, LU showed a lot of patience at the plate, registering nine walks.

Eight different pitchers saw action on the mound for LU. Hunter Perry pitched the game’s opening two innings, allowing an unearned run, but Zach Aitken gave up two runs (one earned) to earn the loss. Brandon Kirkham and Lance Warren were the standout performers for the Cards, tossing perfect eighth and ninth frames, respectively.

After each side scored in the first, TSU took the lead in the third on a pair of two-out doubles. The Tigers then added three over the ensuing two innings before a Bumpers double and Vidrine groundout reclaimed a run in the bottom half of the fifth.

The comeback was short-lived, however, as TSU pushed three more runs across in the seventh.

Vidrine recorded his second RBI in the eighth with a two-out, bases-loaded walk. Reed Seeley walked in the following at bat to bring the tying run to the plate. Unfortunately, a Kevin Santana strikeout brought a halt to the rally.

After a pair of hits and a walk loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, Mason Salazar and Bumpers were unable to keep the game alive.

The Cardinals will return back to Vincent-Beck Stadium on Friday to kick-off a four-game series with LIU Brooklyn.

#PeckEm