For Immediate Release Mar. 30, 2018
 
Ninth-Inning Rally Comes Up Short
 
HOUSTON, Texas – Despite bringing the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning, Lamar University was stung by a three-run fifth that saw Houston Baptist take advantage of a couple mistakes to record a 5-2 victory Friday afternoon at Husky Stadium.
 
HBU scored their five runs on seven hits, while the Cardinals (5-22/1-10 SLC) scored two runs on seven hits. Matthew McCollough got the win going eight innings for the Huskies surrendering one run on six hits and walking two. Noah Sills pitched four strong innings for the Cardinals before getting into trouble in the fifth. He surrendered four runs on five hits, while striking out four.
 
"We had three tough mistakes go against in the fifth inning, all by younger players, and that has been a recurring theme for these guys," said LU head coach Will Davis. "We are taking our lumps in the games and it hurts, because these guys are learning the game at this level, and learning those situations in a 'trial by fire' fashion."
 
The Cards struck first taking advantage of a one out walk to Chad McKinney. After Philip Ingram flied out to left, Grant Devore plated the first run of the game when he drove a 1-0 pitch down the left field line. HBU's Anthony Jones hustled over to make a play on the ball but came up just short as McKinney scored all the way from first.
 
HBU (11-16/5-3 SLC) answered back with two runs in their half of the fourth inning. Derek Reilly led off the inning with a double to left. After being sacrificed to third, Reilly was driven home on a double down the left field line by Matt Heck. The Huskies took the lead two batters later when Jake Scott singled through the left side to score Heck.
 
The Huskies managed to tack on three more runs in the home half of the fifth to grab a 5-1 lead. HBU took advantage of an error, a walk, and a wild pitch to extend their lead. With one out, Anthony Jones singled through the right side and would advance to the second on a wild pitch.
 
Davis then elected to go to his bullpen and bring in freshman Jack Dallas, who was called for a balk on the first batter he faced. The Huskies' Spencer Halloran took advantage of the miscue driving a 2-0 pitch down the right field line to score two. HBU scored its final run of the inning on a throwing error.
 
The pitchers took control of the game from that point – on both sides – as neither team could push across a run over the next three innings.
 
The Cardinals mounted one final attack in the top of the ninth inning. After a leadoff walk, Chase Whetsel reached on an error when HBU's J.T. Newton fielded a ball in front of the mound and elected to go to second, but his throw pulled Reilly off the bag. The Red and White managed to load the bases with two out in the inning, and Devore at the plate. Devore slashed one through the left side that bounced past the shortstop scoring Secrest from third. Unfortunately, the rally ended there as Newton got the next batter to ground into a fielder's choice.
 
Devore was one of three Cardinals to end the day with a multiple-hit game. He finished the afternoon 2-of-5 at the plate, driving in both Cardinals' runs. Ingram and Cole Coker also finished the day with two hits. Dallas came on in relief and pitched 2.2 innings striking out four with no walks.
  
Big Red returns to action Saturday to close out the series against HBU. The game against the Huskies will begin at 1 p.m. from Husky Field.
 
-LU CARDINALS-