NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Despite having base runners in all but the third inning, Lamar University (7-8, 0-3 SLC) couldn't quite cancel out a two-run sixth inning by Stephen F. Austin (6-10, 3-0 SLC). The Cards got the winning run on first with one out in the ninth, but couldn't finish the rally. SFA escaped with a 5-4 win on Sunday.
 
Lamar struck first, scoring three runs in the first. A one-out single by Cole Girouard reached second when Chase Kemp was hit by a pitch, and both Cardinals stole a base before Kelby Weyler singled Girouard and Kemp home. Reese Durand singled Weyler over to third, and Cole Coker brought Weyler home on a single. The SFA starter was relieved, and a liner to right field ended the inning. Faith stranded a two-out single with three grounders to second base. After the first inning Lamar led 3-0 over SFA.
 
Two singles with one out looked like they might get something else on the board for LU. Avery George and Girouard singled, and George advanced to third on a flyer to left. Girouard stole second with two outs, but both were stranded in scoring position on a popup to the pitcher. Faith sat'em down in order, and after two innings Lamar still led 3-0.
 
After a 1-2-3 top of the third, SFA equalized the game in the bottom frame. A lead-off single scored on a double down the right line, and a single to left put runners on the corners. A stolen base put two in scoring position, and a double to right scored both runners before a popup to second ended the inning. Through three the game was tied at 3-3.
 
The Cardinals threatened in the fourth, fifth, and the sixth, but couldn't quite get a run home. Logan LeJuene wore one to lead off the fourth, reached second on wild pitch, and got 90 feet from home on a 6-3 grounder, but he was stranded on a liner to right. In the fifth Quirion led off with a single but three fly outs left him there, and in the sixth a two-out double by Logan Berlof was left on base on a 6-3 putout.
 
The Lumberjacks took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. A lead-off single advanced to second on a sac bunt, and a walk put two on. A double down the left line scored two, and Credeur got a flyer to right and a popup to second to end the inning. Through six, SFA led 5-3.
 
Lamar continued to battle in the seventh and eighth innings, but still the runners couldn't quite make it home. A one-out walk of Quirion was stranded on two popups in the seventh, and in the eighth Durand reached on a lead-off bunt single but three straight strikeouts left him on first. Through eight innings, SFA led 5-3 over Lamar.
 
Big Red had one more battle left in it for the ninth inning. Girouard doubled to left field with one out and reached third on a single by Jose Cintron, and Kemp singled Girouard home on a shot to right. A tough strikeout got Lamar down to its final out with runners on first and second, and Durand tried to zip one down the middle but the SFA pitcher barely snagged the ball and threw it to first to end the game. Lamar dropped the finale of the series 5-4.
 
The Cardinals return to action on Tuesday for a two-game, mid-week series at Tulane. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. in both games. Big Red is back at Vincent-Beck Stadium on Friday for a three-game SLC series against McNeese.
 
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