SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Lamar University baseball team scored in all but three innings, including a seven-run second, to defeat Incarnate Word, 20-6, Friday night at Sullivan Field. The Cardinals pounded out 21 hits on the way to their 30^th victory of the season – the team's third 30-win season in the past four years.
 
Every Cardinal starter collected at least one hit, while senior Will Hibbs scattered eight hits over five innings surrendering only two runs – one earned – to pick up his ninth victory of the season. The Southland's leader in wins, Hibbs stuck out five batters on the night.
 
Big Red got the offense working early and never let off the accelerator as LU's version of the Cardinals hit five home runs, including two off the bat of Reid Russell. The Cardinals offensive firepower forced an early night for the UIW (11-31/4-15 SLC) starter as the Cards were forced to go deep into the bullpen on the opening night of the three-game series.
 
UIW's Bernie Martinez got the starte but was chased from the game with two outs in the third. Martinez was lit up for 14 runs on 12 hits while walking five. The Cardinals bullpen didn't fare much better giving up six runs on nine hits in the final 6.1 innings. UIW's Jake Bedevian worked a scoreless ninth to close out the pitching line.
 
It was the second time this season, and third time since 2013, that LU (30-10/15-4 SLC) has scored at least 19 runs in a game, and the fans didn't have to wait long for the fireworks. Senior Stijn van der Meer led the game off with a single to right field, and came around to score when Cutter McDowell blasted a home run over the left field fence two batters later. The very next batter – Russell – followed suit with a homer in almost the exact same spot to give the Red and White a 3-0 advantage.
 
San Antonio's version of the Cardinals tried to answer with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but LU responded with seven in the second. Eleven Cardinals came to the plate in the top half of the inning as LU finished a homer shy of the cycle in the frame. LU collected five hits and took advantage of two passed balls to take a commanding 10-1 lead over their hosts. The big hit coming off the bat of Brendan Satran who tripled to left center driving in two. Satran would come around to score on the very next batter as van der Meer drove him in on a sacrifice fly.
 
Incarnate Word had no answer for the Cardinals, who tacked on four more runs in the third and two in the fourth. Sporting a 16-2 lead, Hibbs gave way to Galen Andrews in the sixth inning. Andrews was nearly perfect in his two innings of relief striking out three and surrendering only one run.
 
UIW struck for four runs in the eighth inning, but it was too little too late as Brett Brown came on to pitch the final 1.2 innings giving up one hit and striking out two.
 
Freshman Robin Adames finished the night 4-of-6 with four RBIs and two runs scored, while McDowell went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and five runs scored. Russell was 2-for-2 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Both of Russell's hits were home runs adding to his league lead with 15. Jake Nash, Bryndan Arredondo, Jacoby Middelton and Satran also added two hits on the night.
 
The Cardinals return Saturday for the second game against UIW which is slated for a 3 p.m. start from Sullivan Field. The Cardinals will send Billy Love (4-2, 2.68 ERA) to the mound, while UIW will counter with John Shull (2-4, 5.50 ERA).
 
-LU CARDINALS-