CONWAY, Ark. – Kelly Meeuwsen set the Lamar University single-season RBI record as the Cardinals gained a split with host Central Arkansas to clinch a berth in next month's Southland Conference Tournament.
 
Meeuwsen, a freshman, had a tremendous day at the plate for LU (29-16 overall, 16-5 Southland) going 4-for-7 with two doubles, a triple and two RBIs as the Cardinals dropped the opener 7-4 before bouncing back with a 5-2 win in the second game. Meeuwsen ran her RBI total to 37, surpassing the previous mark of 35 set last season by Shannon Sain.
 
With the split, LU dropped into third place in the conference, two games behind front-running McNeese and a half-game behind second-place Nicholls. LU hosts McNeese State in a key three-game conference series next weekend before closing out the regular season with a three-game series at Nicholls the following weekend.
 
"It was disappointing to lose that first game, but we did a great job responding in the second game," LU coach Holly Bruder said. "We are still in the hunt for first place as well as for a first-round bye in the tournament. We just have to take care of business."
 
UCA 7, LU 4 (Game 1)
 
Central Arkansas took control early in the opener, scoring three times in the first and four times in the third to build a 7-0 lead. The Cardinals scored one run in each of the final four innings, and had the go-ahead run at the plate in the seventh, but failed to complete the rally.
 
LU starter Amie Cisneros (3-2) retired just one batter before being lifted. Cisneros allowed two hits and three runs in 1/3 of an inning, with the big hit a two-run home run by UCA catcher Jessie Taylor. LU's Laura Napoli allowed three hits and four runs in 2 1/3 Innings of relief before giving way to Lauren Dannelley, who pitched 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
 
LU outhit Central Arkansas 10-9, but LU pitchers combined for 10 walks and three hit batters.
 
Brittany Rodriguez had three hits for LU, while Sable Hankins and Maddy Myers had two hits apiece. Meeuwsen had two RBIs.
 
LU 5, UCA 2 (Game 2)
 
It was the Cardinals who got off to a quick start in the nightcap, scoring twice in the first inning and adding three runs in the third.
 
Meeuwsen went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a triple as she extended her school record to 20 doubles on the season. Rodriguez and Brynn Baca added two hits apiece for LU, which outhit Central Arkansas 10-5.
 
The offensive support was more than enough for Ciara Luna, who improved to 15-4 overall and 10-0 in conference play. Luna, who struck out a career-high 11 in Friday's 7-2 win over the Bears, allowed five hits and two runs, one earned, while striking out five.
 
Ashley Pratt had two hits for Central Arkansas (32-17, 13-8), which currently holds the fourth seed in the tournament with six games remaining.
 
"Ciara was just fantastic again," Bruder said. "She gives us a chance to win every time out."
 
The Cardinals have a busy week ahead of them. LU is at Texas Southern for a non-league game at 5 p.m. Tuesday before hosting UT Arlington in a non-conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday. After that, McNeese State comes in for a three-game showdown with the Cardinals. The teams are slated to play a single game at 6 p.m. Friday and a doubleheader at 3 p.m. Saturday.
 
"We know what this series means," Bruder said. "Here's our chance to prove how good we are."
 
For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or visit www.LamarCardinals.com.