HOUSTON, Texas – Lamar University's bats came to life in the final three innings as the Cardinals rallied for a 6-4 victory over Houston Baptist Saturday afternoon to take the final game of the series at Husky Stadium. Big Red scored five runs in the game's final three frames for the win.
 
"I'm really proud of our guys today," said LU head coach Will Davis. "Not only did they have to overcome some adversity today, but its adversity they've been battling all season. Losing games the way we have is adversity enough, but then you include calls that didn't go our way and blowing the lead a couple times it was an impressive win by our guys."
 
Jason Blanchard got the start surrendering two runs on five hits in 4.1 innings. He also struck out four, with only one walk. Taylor Rich pitched the final 1.1 innings for the save.
 
"We really like what Jason Blanchard is doing for us," said Davis. "We only used one relief pitcher all weekend, so we didn't want to wait too long to go to Erickson because he is our best guy out of the pen. Erickson gave up some runs today but our offense responded for him. Then the combination of Marcus Olivarez and Taylor Rich were able to close the door."
 
The Cardinals collected 10 hits Saturday as seven different players got in the act. Junior Robin Adames led the team with a 3-of-5 performance with two runs batted in. Cole Girouard recorded the other multiple-hit performance (2-for-4, RBI, run scored).
 
"Robin swung the bat good," said Davis. "We saw flashes today of the Robin from the previous two years. We need that to continue because he is the one veteran guy that has played in this lineup and we need him to be good."
 
Brady Batten was hung with the loss giving up two runs on five hits, while striking out seven and walking two. The Cards got to HBU's J.T. Newton and Matt Heck late in the game. The Huskies duo combined to surrender four runs – three earned – on four hits, with a walk, in the final two innings.
 
For the second-straight day the Cardinals drew first blood as LU jumped on the scoreboard in the top half of the first. Grant DeVore was on first with two out when Robin Adames took a 1-0 pitch to right centerfield. DeVore never slowed down on the play scoring all the way from first.
 
The Cardinals found themselves in hot water in the bottom half of the inning, but Blanchard did a good job of pitching out of trouble. HBU got runners on second third with just one out but Blanchard struck out Matt Heck and got Jake Pulcheon to ground out to third to end the inning.
 
The Huskies managed to even things up in the home half of the third. After Anthony Jones was caught stealing, HBU followed with back-to-back singles, to get runners on second and third (runners advanced on the throw). Heck followed with the RBI by grounding out to second, but Blanchard was able to escape further damage by striking out Pulcheon.
 
HBU claimed its first lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth after driving Blanchard from the game. With one out and two on Spencer Halloran singled to center scoring Jones from second. LU's Ryan Erickson pitched out of further damage by recording a strikeout and getting Pulcheon to ground out to short.
 
Neither team could move the scoreboard again until the seventh inning when the Cardinals tied the game in the top half. Tyrese Clayborne came in to pinch run for Logan LeJeune who was hit by a pitch. After Clayborne stole second, Cole Secrest drew a walk to put runners on first and second with no outs. After a fielder's choice put runners and first and third, Girouard crossed up the defense by pushing a bunt to first base scoring Clayborne.
 
Unfortunately, the momentum didn't last long as the Huskies answered right back with two more runs in the bottom half of the inning. Trailing by two, the Cardinals mounted another rally in the top half of the eighth.
 
The Cardinals got their first two batters aboard after getting hit by a pitch. Following a pitching change, Adames picked up his third hit of the day – a single to left – scoring both Cole Coker and DeVore to tie the game at 4. Adames was eventually able to move to third after a throwing error but was called out at home moments later when a wild pitch ricocheted back to the catcher who made a strong throw to J.T. Newton covering the plate.
 
The Cardinals were back on the attack in the top half of the inning. Big Red opened the inning with back-to-back singles off the bats of Girouard and Chad McKinney, but it was McKinney's but that became the play of the game. Newton fielded the ball but struggled to get it out of his glove, and then made a bad toss to first allowing Girouard to advance to third. Girouard gave the Cardinals the lead moments later when he scored on a wild pitch. After DeVore was hit by a pitch, Coker singled through the right side to score McKinney giving the Red and White a two-run lead heading into the ninth.
 
Rich slammed the door on HBU in the bottom half of the inning stranding a runner for the save. Rich's save included a tip of the cap to Chase Whetsel who made a leaping catch slamming into the wall for the second out of the inning.  
 
The Cardinals return to action Tuesday when the travel to Waco, Texas for a midweek game against Baylor. The game against the Bears is slated to begin at 6:35 p.m.
 
-LU CARDINALS-