BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals dropped a pair of contests to the fourth-ranked Washington Huskies in non-conference softball action on Monday, falling by scores of 9-1 and 8-0.
 
"In my opinion, they are one of the two top-hitting teams in the nation," LU coach Holly Bruder said of the Huskies, who improved to 12-0. "They have won by the run rule in 11 of those games. That's a tremendous team."
 
The Huskies didn't waste time getting on the scoreboard in either game, scoring two runs in the first inning of both contests. Kirstyn Thomas, who leads the nation in home runs, hit her eighth of the season to put the Huskies on top 2-0 just three batters into the first game. It was one of three home runs on the day by the Huskies.
 
Washington led 5-0 in the third before the Cardinals would score their only run of the day when Kelly Meeuwsen's grounder scored Maddy Myers. It was just the fifth run scored against the Huskies all season. Washington has outscored its opponents 133-5.
 
The Cardinals had seven hits on the day, with shortstop Savana Guidry collecting three of them.
 
"Savana did a great job today," Bruder said. "Washington has some tremendous pitchers, and Savana came through in both games."
 
The Cardinals got a solid relief effort from freshman Taylor Gruell, who allowed three hits and two runs over five innings in the second game. Gruell worked four scoreless innings before giving up two runs in the sixth inning.
 
"Taylor shows some great potential," Bruder said. "She did a tremendous job today."
 
Samantha Manti (3-0) picked up the win in the opener, allowing four hits in the five-inning complete game. She walked one and struck out seven. LU starter Laura Napoli (1-3) took the loss, allowing seven hits and seven runs in 3 1/3 innings. Anissa Rodriguez allowed two hits and two runs in 1 2/3 innings of relief.
 
Gabbie Plain (4-0) was the winner in the nightcap, scattering three hits over 5 1/3 innings, while striking out eight. Amie Cisneros (2-2), started and took the loss for the Cardinals, allowing eight hits and six runs, five earned. Cisneros allowed two runs in the first, but was lifted after failing to retire any of the five batters she faced in the second inning.
 
The Cardinals were scheduled to play at Texas A&M on Tuesday, but that game was postponed late Monday until March 28.
 
"I'm not afraid to play anybody," Bruder said. "Facing teams like this will just make us better and tougher."
 
LU returns to action when it hosts the third annual Cardinal Classic that runs from Friday through Sunday at the LU Softball Complex. The four-team event will see four games on Friday and Saturday, starting at 9:30 a.m. each day, and two games on Sunday, starting at 9 a.m. Joining the Cardinals in the field are Alabama A&M, Binghamton and Loyola Chicago.
 
TICKETS: For individual-game and season tickets, please call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE. The Montagne Center ticket office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The ticket window at the LU Softball Complex will open one hour prior to first pitch on game days. LU students receive free admission to home games with their Cardinal One card, while Junior Cardinal Club members are admitted for free when they present their membership badge.