HOUSTON, Texas – The Lamar University softball program got its 2021 season underway at Houston where they split a doubleheader with the Cougars on Friday afternoon.
 
"In the first game, you could tell it's been a while since we have played a we weren't playing lose and trying to do too much," said head coach Amy Hooks. "After that game, I told them to flush it and get back to having fun. We are at our best when we have fun. They did a great job responding. We got a lot of production through the lineup and Carpenter's home run helped us settle in. Aaliyah pitched a great game and Mixon came in and shut the door.  All around it was a great team win."
 
Game 1 – Houston 14, Lamar 1 (5 Inn.)
 
The Cougars got to work early against the Cardinals, putting five runs on the board in the first inning alone. Lamar saw its first run of the year come off a sacrifice fly by redshirt senior Victoria Garivey that brought sophomore Hannah Kinkade in home.
 
Houston's bats continued to be on fire for them as they made the score 10-1 going into the third inning. Freshman Breanna Reyna was able to start controlling the Cougars, but it was not enough as Houston captured game one over the Cardinals in run-rule fashion, 14-1.
 
Game 2 – Lamar 6, Houston 4
 
Game two saw the Cardinals play more relaxed and calmer. Junior Aaliyah Ruiz came out on fire has she was able to give up just one run in through four innings. The Cougars scored the first run of game two, but a throwing error in the top of the third allowed junior Aleka Xayaseng to score. Kinkade continued her dominant day at the plate has she doubled to right field, bringing in sophomore Nicolette Ramirez in the process.
 
As she came up to the plate, senior Hannah Carpenter was looking to spark a win for the Cardinals. She bolted one over the left field wall that extended the Cardinal lead to 4-1 over Houston going into the bottom of the third. Lamar tallied their fifth run of the game on a Kinkade single that brought home junior Savana Mata. Ruiz was able to keep the bats of Houston at bay for the next two innings.
 
The Cardinals added an insurance run in the top of the sixth of a ground out by freshman Sydnee Adams that was able to bring in sophomore Olivia Taylor. Going into the bottom of the sixth, the momentum was all with the Cards, but things quickly changed as the Cougars started to mount a comeback in the bottom of the sixth as Repa doubled to left center for Houston that brought in Busch. Repa scored later in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Husley that brought the score to 6-4, but still in favor of the Cards.
 
The final inning came down to defense for both programs. The Cardinals were able to get on base, but did not capitalize as the runner was left on base. Senior Shelby Mixon came on for Ruiz to begin the seventh giving up just one hit to silence the Cougar comeback and help secure the 6-4 game two victory over Houston.
 
UP NEXT: The Cardinals will head back home and make a short turnaround to take on UTSA at the LU Softball Complex in a doubleheader. First pitch of game one is slated for 1 p.m. with game two scheduled to start 30 minutes at the conclusion of game one.