BEAUMONT, Texas - There was no way the Lamar Lady Cardinals were going to let their long-awaited housewarming be spoiled.

The Lady Cardinals rolled to a doubleheader sweep of Houston Baptist by scores of 11-0 and 4-2 at the brand-new Lamar Softball Complex in the first-ever home softball games played on the Lamar campus. The games also marked the start of Southland Conference play.

"This was a special day," Lamar coach Holly Bruder said. "You can't ask for anything better than to get two wins."

Lamar didn't take long to get the offense going in the opener, as Casey Cromwell led off the bottom of the first with a double for the first LU hit and first-ever extra-base hit in the complex. Cromwell came around to score the first run at the facility as Sable Hankins doubled to record the first RBI.

The Lady Cardinals (9-9 overall, 2-0 Southland) scored in every inning of the game, plating three each in the first and second, one in the third and four in the fourth in the contest that was called after the top of the fifth because of the mercy rule.

Starter Laura Napoli (5-5) pitched all five innings for her first career shutout and the first shutout in stadium history. Napoli scattered six hits, did not walk anybody and struck out two.

Eight Lamar players had hits in the game, with Hankins leading the way with two. The LU offense took advantage of five walks, a hit batter and six Houston Baptist errors to roll to the convincing win.

Houston Baptist starter Laci Belovsky (4-5) took the loss, allowing five hits and six runs, two earned in 1 2/3 innings.

The second game was a much tighter affair. HBU starter Emily Mueller had a no-hitter for 3 1/3 innings before Shannon Sain emphatically put an end to that with a two-run home run to left-center field for the first ever HR in the stadium. Stephanie Meeuwsen followed with a single and Jenna Holland chased her home and chased Mueller from the game as the Lady Cardinals erupted for four runs in the fourth to bounce back from a 1-0 deficit.

Lamar starter Lauren Dannelley (4-4) worked the first five innings for the win, allowing nine hits and two runs. Napoli came on in the sixth with runners on second and third with nobody out and got out of the jam. She pitched two scoreless innings for her first career save.

"Our pitching and defense won the second game for us," Bruder said. "Lauren pitched well, and then Laura comes on and does a great job in relief. We also made some great plays behind them."

Mueller (0-3) took the loss, allowing three hits and four runs, all earned, in 3 1/3 innings.

"We did so many things right today," Bruder said. "The players were so pumped to finally play on campus. We got great fan support, and that gave us a big boost."

Lamar goes for the three-game sweep of the Huskies (6-12, 0-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday.

"There was a lot of emotion today," Bruder said. We may have had a little bit of a letdown in the second game, but we did what we had to do. I think we'll be focused and ready."

There will be a postgame autograph session with the Lamar players at the conclusion of Saturday's game.

Fans attending on Saturday's game are reminded that there will be limited access to the Lamar Softball Complex because of the Gusher marathon. Fans driving to the game are advised to travel south on U.S. 69 (Cardinal Drive) to the Highland Avenue exit. Take that exit and remain on the service road until the intersection with Rolfe Christopher Drive. Proceed under the overpass north on Rolfe Christopher. Turn left (west) into the Soccer/Softball Complex parking lot, which is adjacent to the Vincent-Beck Stadium parking lot.

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