Final Stats

HAMMOND, La. - The Cardinals made a late push, but Southeastern Louisiana was able to hold on and take the series victory on a 5-2 win over the Lamar baseball team Saturday afternoon at Pat Kenelly Diamond in Southland Conference action.

Lamar (19-27, 8-15 Southland Conference) had the tying run at the plate in Kevin Santana, who returned to the lineup for the first time since he suffered an injury in the series against Houston Baptist, with runners at second and third bases and two outs, and was he was struck out swinging against a fresh pitcher in Mac Sceroler.

Southeastern (35-13, 19-4) used a four-run second inning to get ahead of the Cardinals. Kennon Menard drew a four-pitch walk with one out, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Julian Service drew a walk, and the bases were loaded when Chris Eades singled down the right field line.

Menard scored on a single through the right side from Ryan Byers and Service scored when Jacob Seward grounded out to the pitcher. Carson Crites had the big hit with a two-run triple to right center field that scored Eades and Byers.

Lamar cut the score to 4-1 in the seventh on pitch hitter Cutter McDowell's sacrifice fly to left field. He pushed across junior transfer Jake Nash, who reached on a leadoff double to right center and moved to third on a ground ball from senior Brandon Provost.

The Lions pushed the lead back out to four in the eighth inning when Brett Hoffman scored on Service's RBI single through the left side.

Down 5-1 at the start of the ninth, Lamar pushed across one, but two in scoring position when the game ended. Reed Seeley led off frame with a single through the left side, and was called out on a fielder choice from Stijn van der Meer. Van der Meer later scored on McDowell's single to left field.

Collin Chapman (0-1) started the game for Lamar and took the loss on four innings of work. He gave up four runs on three hits and two walks. Danny Fernandez pitched two frames with one hit and one walk allowed.

LU used four more pitches in the game, none worked an inning or more.

Jake Johnson (9-1) earned the win on 8.2 frames of work. He surrendered two runs on eight hits and had six strikeouts. Sceroler earned his sixth save on one-third of an inning.

Jake Nash was 3-of-4 at the plate with a run scored, and Cutter McDowell was 1-of-1 with two RBI.

Lamar will try and avoid the series sweep at 1 o'clock on Sunday, and next up for the Cardinals is the final home contests in Stephen F. Austin. Senior Day will be celebrated at 6:00 on Friday, and the series will be wrapped up on Saturday at 2:00 and Sunday at 1 o'clock.