NACOGDOCHES, Texas – A close game came down to the final few pitches Saturday for Lamar University (7-7, 0-2 SLC). The Cardinals led 2-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth, but free bases let Stephen F. Austin (5-10, 2-0 SLC) escape with a 3-2 win over Big Red.
 
Starter Zach Bravo was phenomenal through five innings despite a tough zone, striking out eight while walking three, allowing three hits, and hitting three batters. The junior from Albuquerque, N.M., settled in after allowing a run in the first and allowed just one base runner after the second inning, a runner that was caught stealing. Max Mize took over in the sixth and sat'em down in order, keeping LU's streak of Lumberjacks retired going. That streak ended at 13 consecutive SFA batters with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Mize stranded two on a liner to left to get out of the inning. Jack Dallas relieved Mize after one batter in the eighth, and a tough zone gave SFA the win.
 
A lead-off single came back to haunt Lamar in the bottom of the first. The runner advanced to second on a hit-by-pitch, got to third on a one-out hit-by-pitch, and scored on an RBI, full-count walk. A double play with the bases loaded got LU out of the inning, and through one Lamar trailed 1-0.
 
Lamar answered quickly, getting back in the game with two outs in the top of the second. Anthony Quirion singled to center and scored on a single by JC Correa. A 4-3 grounder stranded Correa, and after Bravo struck out a Lumberjack with the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning, the score was tied 1-1 through two innings.
 
The Cards got their first lead of the game in the top of the seventh inning. Cole Coker led off with a single and stole second with one out. The throw to second by the catcher was errant, and Coker reached third. After Correa was walked to put runners on the corners, Correa stole second to get two Cards in scoring position. Weyler sac flyed to right to bring Coker home, and a flyer to center ended the Big Red threat. SFA got back-to-back singles with two outs to put runners on the corners, but a liner to left ended the seventh with Lamar up by one run, 2-1.
 
Lamar went down in order to start the eighth inning, and free bases caught up to LU in the second half of the frame. A hit-by-pitch to lead off reached third on a single, and another hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with no outs. The Cards got the lead runner on a fielder's choice, but a six-pitch walk brought one run home. A strikeout got LU just one out away, but another walk scored the second run of the inning. SFA jumped ahead 3-2, and after a 1-2-3 top of the ninth, SFA won the game 3-2.
 
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