ABILENE, Texas – Stephanie Meeuwsen had three hits to lead a 12-hit Lamar University attack as the Cardinals extended their winning streak to five games with an 8-3 win over host Abilene Christian in a Southland Conference softball game Friday night.
 
The Cardinals (15-9 overall, 3-1 Southland) reached double digits in the hits category for the fourth straight game. LU improved its conference-leading team batting average to .333 for the season.
 
LU took control of the game early, taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning on Baylie Comeaux's RBI double and Meeuwsen's run-scoring single. The Cardinals then broke things wide open with six runs in the third inning, sending 12 batters to the plate in the frame. LU had six hits in the inning, including consecutive doubles by Ashley McDowell, Jenna Holland and Brynn Baca.
 
"It was great to see a senior step up and contribute like Stephanie did tonight," LU coach Holly Bruder said. "Our offense jumped out early and led the way."
 
Baca's double chased ACU starter Hannah Null (5-6), who allowed six hits and six runs, five earned, in 2 1/3 innings. The setback was the first in conference play for ACU (9-12, 3-1), which swept Southeastern Louisiana last weekend.
 
"It was a great win tonight. Any time you can hand a team its first conference loss, it's a good feeling," Bruder said. "Abilene Christian is a tough team to play at their place."
 
One of the six hits in the inning was an RBI infield single by LU's Brittany Rodriguez, who extended her school-record hitting streak to 20 games. Rodriguez finished the game 2-for-5.
 
The offensive output was more than enough for LU starter Ciara Luna (7-2), who allowed six hits and three runs, all earned, in a complete-game victory. Luna was one out away from a five-inning run-rule shutout when Payton Hedrick legged out a run-scoring infield single in the bottom of the fifth. Hedrick closed out the scoring with a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.
 
"Ciara pitched well today," Bruder said. "ACU has some really good hitters, and she did a good job of shutting them down."
 
The Cardinals close out their 16-game road swing with a doubleheader against the Wildcats at 1 p.m. Saturday. The starting time was pushed back one hour due to cold temperatures and blustery winds in the forecast for early Saturday. LU is 7-7 on its current sojourn. Both games will be broadcast online.
 
The Cardinals return home next Friday to host Incarnate Word in a Southland Conference doubleheader at 3 p.m. For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.