Box Score HAMMOND, La. – Ashley McDowell became Lamar University's all-time leader in runs scored, but the Cardinals suffered a 5-3 loss to host Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday as the Lady Lions completed the sweep of the three-game Southland Conference series.
 
McDowell led off the game with a walk and eventually came in to score on a bases-load walk to Sable Hankins. The run was the 113^th of McDowell's career, moving her past Stephanie Meeuwsen atop the LU chart.
 
The Cardinals had their chances, but could not take advantage of nine walks. LU (17-18 overall, 8-4 Southland) managed just five hits and stranded 10 runners on the afternoon.
 
"A lack of timely hits cost us this game," LU coach Holly Bruder said. "We need to get back on track this week. We have 15 conference games left."
 
Southeastern Louisiana (17-18, 6-6) took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second on a two-run inside-the-park home run by Ali McCoy, whose shot down the left-field line got past a diving McDowell and rolled all the way to the wall. LU tied the game in the top of the third when Shelby Henderson's RBI grounder scored Brynn Baca.
 
After Southeastern Louisiana scored an unearned run in the bottom of the third to take a 3-2 lead, the Cardinals tied it at 3 in the top of the fourth as Brittany Rodriguez singled home Shelby Hughston. The tie proved to be short-lived as Southeastern Louisiana took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a throwing error and a solo home run by Maddie Edmonston.
 
The Cardinals had a golden opportunity to tie the game in the seventh, loading the bases with one out, but Corina Thornton bounced into a 3-2-4 double play to end the game.
 
LU starter Ciara Luna (5-11) took the loss, allowing six hits and five runs, four earned, in 3 1/3 innings. Luna walked one and struck out three. Laura Napoli allowed two hits in 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief for the Cardinals.
 
Lacey Hill (7-6) picked up the win in relief for the Lady Lions. Hill allowed five hits and two runs, one earned in 5 2/3 innings. Southeastern Louisiana starter Rachel Hayes left after 1 1/3 innings, allowing one run. Hayes did not allow a hit, but walked five batters in her short stint.
 
UP NEXT: The Cardinals play a non-conference doubleheader at Houston at 4 p.m. Tuesday before opening a five-game homestand that starts with a three-game conference series vs. Sam Houston State. The Bearkats and Cardinals play a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Friday and a single game at 3 p.m. Saturday.
 
TICKETS: For tickets to all LU home games, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE. Tickets are also available at the LU ticket office, located in the Montagne Center, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Tickets will be available at the ticket window at the LU Softball Complex starting one hour prior to first pitch.